i'.tO PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



tirst branch to separate from the trunk is (d) ramus communicans ad 

 facialem {rm. comn, IX. -VII.), which follows the latero-ventral surface 

 of the ear capsule till it unites with r. hyoideus VII., as already de- 

 scribed. Strong ("95, p. 130) gives reasons for considering this branch a 

 general cutaneous ; its relation to VII. in Spelerpes would seem to add 

 evidence of the correctness of this view. 



The second branch, (e) ramus phargngeus (rm. phg.), given off from 

 the main trunk is very small, and is composed of the fine unstained 

 fibres of the fasciculus-communis component ; it was traced to the roof 

 of the pharynx, where fibres were seen to pass down to the end buds. 

 This branch was traced in transverse series, and likewise in sagittal 

 series of larger heads, as far cephalad as the separation of r. palatums 

 VII. from its ganglion, but in the sagittal sections of the small individual 

 used for reconstruction it could be followed only as far as indicated in 

 Figures 1 and 2. 



The third branch of this group, (/) ramus lingualis (IX. rm. lug.), 

 passes ectad, gives off a small motor branch to m. cerato-hyoideus 

 externus, then runs ventrad to the under side of the first epibrancbial 

 bar, then curves cephalo-mesiad and is traceable in transverse sections, 

 though not in sagittal ones, to the sense organs of the dorsum of the 

 tongue. The fibres have the same appearance as those of all the Other 

 branches of the fasciculus-communis group. 



Another branch of fasciculus-communis fibres (</) ramus branckialis 

 (rm. brn.), leaves ganglion IX.+X. immediately caudad of the com- 

 mon trunk of the three branches last described. It appears to give 

 some fine branches to blood-vessels soon alter its emergence, but this 

 could not be determined with certainty. The trunk soon divides; the 

 more anterior branch goes to the first and second gills, the posterior to 

 the third gill. It was very difficult to follow the fibres, and their dis- 

 tribution could not be satisfactorily worked out. Minute branches \- 



n off daring their coarse to the gills, but could not be traced to their 

 terminations! A few motor twigs to gill muscles could be distinguished, 

 a-; they were more deeply stained, and from the posterior branch general 

 cutaneous fibres were seen to pass to the skin. The fine fasciculus- 

 communis fibrec were followed to the under Bide of the gill bars, where 

 they lie close to large blood vessels, but they could not be traced further. 

 Though their ultimate distribution could not be learned, it seems to me 

 allowable to homologize them with the rami branchiales of the tadpole. 

 Their caudad rather than cephalad course is accounted for by the more 



iterior position of the gills in Spelerpes. 



