[41]

Nov 30

[annotated diagram]

Nov 30 at night

angle of 2 leaves

on what wood leaf

what wood

Red-worl

[49]

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they will transmit in the one case as in the other nerve-force to the same vaso-motor centre with the same results.

To give another and in some respects more appropriate illustration. If a man stands before a hot fire, his face reddens. This appears to be due, as Mr. Michael Foster informs me in part to the local action of the heat, and in part to a reflex action from the vaso-motor centres.*(45) In the latter case, the heat affects the nerves of the face; these transmit an impression to the sensory cells of the brain, which act on the vaso-motor centre, and this reacts on the small arteries of the face, relaxing them and allowing them to become filled with blood. Here again it seems not improbable that whenever if we were earnestly to concentrate with great earnestness our attention on the recollection of our heated faces, the same part of the sensorium which gives us the consciousness of actual heat, when we stood before the fire, would be in some slight degree stimulated, and would in consequence tend to transmit at least some nerve-force to the vaso-motor centres, so as to relax the capillaries of the face. Now as men during many endless generations have had their attention often and strongly earnestly directed to their

[Expression, pp. 244-5: "If so, the same cells in the brain will be excited, though, perhaps, in a less degree, by vividly thinking about a sour taste, as by perceiving it; and they will transmit in the one case, as in the other, nerve-force to the vaso-motor centre with the same results.

To give another, and, in some respects, more appropriate illustration. If a man stands before a hot fire, his face reddens. This appears to be due, as Mr. Michael Foster informs me, in part to the local action of the heat, and in part to a reflex action from the vaso-motor centres.46 In this latter case, the heat affects the nerves of the face; these transmit an impression to the sensory cells of the brain, which act on the

46 See, also, Mr. Michael Foster, on the action of the vaso-motor system, in his interesting Lecture before the Royal Institution, as translated in the 'Revue des Cours Scientifiques,' Sept. 25, 1869, p. 683.

vaso-motor centre, and this reacts on the small arteries of the face, relaxing them and allowing them to become filled with blood. Here, again, it seems not improbable that if we were repeatedly to concentrate with great earnestness our attention on the recollection of our heated faces, the same part of the sensorium which gives us the consciousness of actual heat would be in some slight degree stimulated, and would in consequence tend to transmit some nerve-force to the vaso-motor centres, so as to relax the capillaries of the face. Now as men during endless generations have had their attention often and earnestly directed to their personal appearance, and especially to their faces, any incipient tendency in the facial capillaries to be thus affected will have become in the course of time greatly strengthened through the principles just referred to, namely, nerve-force passing readily along accustomed channels, and inherited habit."]

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very young leaves of Desmodium points to a Puff, but do not close quite

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(Used)

[Haliday]

Theory of Blushing.─ We have now to consider, why should the thought that others are thinking about us affect our capillary circulation? Sir C. Bell insists*(30) that blushing "is a provision for expression, as may be inferred from the colour extending only to the surface of the face, neck and breast, the parts most exposed. It is not acquired; it is from the beginning." Dr. Burgess believes that it was designed by the Creator in order "that the soul might have sovereign power of displaying in the cheeks the various internal emotions of the moral feelings," so as to serve a check on ourselves, and as a sign to others, that we were violating rules which ought to be held sacred. Gratiolet merely remarks

[slip of paper pasted on:] "Or, comme il est dans l'ordre de la nature que l'être social le plus intelligent soit aussi le plus intelligible, cette faculté de rougeur et de pâleur qui distingue l'homme, est un signe naturel de sa haute perfection."

The belief that blushing was specially designed by the Creator is opposed to the general theory of evolution, which is now so largely accepted; but it forms no part of my duty here to argue on the general question. Those who believe in design, will find it difficult to account for shyness being the most frequent and efficient of all the causes of blushing, as it makes the

[Expression, pp. 337-8: "Theory of Blushing.—We have now to consider, why should the thought that others are thinking about us affect our capillary circulation? Sir C. Bell insists31 that blushing 'is a provision for expression, as may be inferred from the colour extending only to the surface of the face, neck, and breast, the parts most exposed. It is not acquired; it is from the beginning.' Dr. Burgess believes that it was designed by the Creator in 'order that the soul might have sovereign power of displaying in the cheeks the various internal emotions
31 Bell, 'Anatomy of Expression,' p. 95. Burgess, as quoted below, ibid. p. 49. Gratiolet, De la Phys. p. 94.
of the moral feelings;' so as to serve as a check on ourselves, and as a sign to others, that we were violating rules which ought to be held sacred. Gratiolet merely remarks,—'Or, comme il est dans l'ordre de la nature que l'être social le plus intelligent soit aussi le plus intelligible, cette faculté de rougeur et de pâleur qui distingue l'homme, est un signe naturel de sa haute perfection.'
The belief that blushing was specially designed by the Creator is opposed to the general theory of evolution, which is now so largely accepted; but it forms no part of my duty here to argue on the general question.  Those who believe in design, will find it difficult to account for shyness being the most frequent and efficient of all the causes of blushing, as it makes the blusher to suffer and the beholder uncomfortable, without being of the least service to either of them."]

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Chap XIII 514

that a man ashamed of his personal appearance would feel a strong desire partially to conceal this part of his body. The habit having been thus once acquired under these circumstances would naturally be carried on under shame from strictly moral causes; & it is not easy to see how the latter state of mind causes could otherwise have first ─ given rise to a desire to hide or avert the face ─ more than any other part of the body.)

The habit so general with everyone who feels ashamed m of turning away, or lowering his eyes, or restlessly moving them from side to side, probably follows from each glance directed by him towards those present, bringing home to him the conviction that he is intently regarded; and he endeavours by not looking at those present, and especially not at their eyes, momentarily to escape from this painful conviction.

Shyness.─ This odd state of mind, often well-called shame-facedness, or false shame, or mauvaise honte, appears to be one of the most efficient of all the causes of blushing. It is indeed chiefly recognized by the face reddening, by the eyes being averted or cast down, and

[Expression, p. 330: "The habit having been thus acquired, would naturally be carried on when shame from strictly moral causes was felt; and it is not easy otherwise to see why under these circumstances there should be a desire to hide the face more than any other part of the body.
The habit, so general with every one who feels ashamed, of turning away, or lowering his eyes, or restlessly moving them from side to side, probably follows from each glance directed towards those present, bringing home the conviction that he is intently regarded; and he endeavours, by not looking at those present, and especially not at their eyes, momentarily to escape from this painful conviction.
Shyness.—This odd state of mind, often called shamefacedness, or false shame, or mauvaise honte, appears to be one of the most efficient of all the causes of blushing. Shyness is, indeed, chiefly recognized by the face reddening, by the eyes being averted or cast down, and by awkward, nervous movements of the body. Many a woman blushes from this cause, a hundred, perhaps a thousand times, to once that she blushes from having done anything deserving blame, and of which she is truly ashamed."]