is expressed. (4) A conception of the
sanitary influence of the air is clearly expressed. (5) An idea of the
problems of generation and heredity is shown, together with a distinct
disavowal of the doctrine of spontaneous generation--a doctrine which,
it may be added, remained in vogue, nevertheless, for some twenty-four
hundred years after the time of Pythagoras. (6) A remarkable analysis of
mind is made, and a distinction between animal minds and the human mind
is based on this analysis. The physiological doctrine that the heart
is the organ of one department of mind is offset by the clear statement
that the remaining factors of mind reside in the brain. This early
recognition of brain as the organ of mind must not be forgotten in
our later studies. It should be recalled, however, that a Crotonian
physician, Alemaean, a younger contemporary of Pythagoras, is also
credited with the same theory. (7) A knowledge of anatomy is at least
vaguely foreshadowed in the assertion that veins, arteries, and nerves
are the links of the soul. In this connection it should be recalled that
Pythagoras was a practical physician.

As against these scientific doctrines, however, some of them being at
least remarkable guesses at the truth, attention must be called to
the concluding paragraph of our quotation, in which the old familiar
daemonology is outlined, quite after the Oriental fashion. We shall have
occasion to say more as to this phase of the subject later on. Meantime,
before leaving Pythagoras, let us note that his practical studies of
humanity led him to assert the doctrine that "the property of friends
is common, and that friendship is equality." His disciples, we are told,
used to put all their possessions together in one store and use them in
common. Here, then, seemingly, is the doctrine of communism put to the
test of experiment at this early day. If it seem that reference to
this carries us beyond the bounds of science, it may be replied that
questions such as this will not lie beyond the bounds of the science of
the near future.

XENOPHANES AND PARMENIDES

There is a whimsical tale about Pythagoras, according to which the
philosopher was wont to declare that in an earlier state he had visited
Hades, and had there seen Homer and Hesiod tortured because of the
absurd things they had said about the gods. Apocrypbal or otherwise,
the tale suggests that Pythagoras was an agnostic as regards the current
Greek religion of h