The Laws of Heredity Author:George Williamson Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II. INFLUENCE OF MATTER ON MIND. If mind and matter have a separate existence, representing in their union certain products, as steam and the l... more »ocomotive engine represent power, it is reasonable to suppose that while together they must exert certain influences the one upon the other, and such we shall find to be the case. Man is said to be in possession of five physical senses, and through them the mind is capable of being influenced by external, as well as objects within the body itself. A horrible accident, by which a mutilated object is presented to the sight, may affect the mind in the most startling manner. Fright at the appearance of some dangerous object, as poisonous serpents, wild beasts or savages, although only seen, has so powerfully affected the mind as to produce instant death. The sight of an approaching storm fills the mind with awe, and often with terror, as we remember our helplessness in the presence of the mighty forces of nature ; while to witness a gorgeous sunset, with its lines of many-colored fire standing out in bold relief upon the darker background, and changing even as we behold them, "as if some radiant angel had thrown aside his robe of light as he flew, or left his smile upon the cloud as he passed through the golden gates of Hesperus," delights the soul and leaves an impress upon the mind which lasts far into the night, filling our dreams with images of the beautiful. Through the sense of hearing, evil tidings may be conveyed to the mind, that has more than once dethroned reason. Harsh, unpleasant sounds distract the mind, while sweet, tender music fills the soul with joy. So with the senses of smell and taste, the mind becomes cognizant of the character of external objects. The roses of June convey a fragrance of delight,...« less