Anatomy and neurology

Use in the book

The philosophers who want thought stripped to lineaments are compared with engraved nerve anatomy and a leaf eaten down to its outlines. A second passage groups neurology with camp planning, surveying, and drawing plans, before asserting that the soul does more: it paints. A late criticism of historical writing returns to anatomy through the scalpel, herbarium, and dissection. These comparisons distinguish observation of structure from an account that gives objects living or affective presence. They do not condemn every anatomical observation in every context.

Places to read

1. I, p. 235, entry begun p. 234, no. 12, ¶5Engraved anatomy and an eaten leaf model outline without filled substance.
2. I, p. 423, entry 1, ¶3The soul’s painting exceeds the arts of anatomical and spatial outlines.
3. II, p. 737, entry 1, ¶1Historical description is criticized through anatomical and herbarium images.

Translation in this edition

The translation notes explain the historical nerve-anatomy sense. At II.737 [ontogeny] translates Beaunier’s supplied [ontogénie], an emendation rather than a recovered authorial word; [myology] is a contextual rendering of damaged myo[…]gie. The accompanying uncertain apparatus reading is treated separately in the qualified-readings appendix.