202 



as the domestic ox of Britain, and of almost all countries, are noAV 

 a mixed breed, derived from several species, lie is at a loss, from 

 want of materials, to shew to which of these species the white ox 

 of Hamilton most approaches. They seem to him to bear the 

 strongest resemblance to the Galloway breed. From not having 

 been able to procure a cranium of the Tankerville white ox, he, of 

 course, cannot say to what species it may belong. 



The cranium of the wild ox of Hamilton differs very much from 

 that of most domestic oxen, particularly in the breadth of the fore- 

 head, shortness of the nasal bones, and configuration of the interior 

 of the nostrils. Many of the bulls have horns, whilst others are 

 polled. 



The author, with reference to the relation these oxen bear to 

 fossil crania of the Bovine tribe, thinks that none of the fossil speci- 

 mens which he has seen in museums, or which have been delineated 

 in M. Cuvier's work, could have belonged to an animal similar to 

 the existing species, and thinks that they may have differed even 

 generically. 



The author suggests, in conclusion, that the type of these cattle 

 can never be satisfactorily made out, so long as their breeding is 

 so much interfered with, by the destruction of all the calves which 

 may differ in form or colour from the standard considered by the 

 noble proprietors as essential to the purity of the breed. 



2. On the Third Pair of Nerves. By Sir C. Bell. 



This paper is the first of three communications, in which is shewn 

 the distinctions in the regular series of nerves arising from the spinal 

 marrow, and the ten nerves which arise directly from the brain. 



The author remarks, that unless we comprehend the reason of the 

 perfect symmetry of the spinal nerves, as contrasted with the irregu- 

 larity of the encephalic nerves, we must confess ignorance of much 

 of the structure of the animal frame. 



After a general view of the nerves arising from the base of the 

 brain, and assigning the reason of their apparent irregularity, he 

 enters on the investigation of the third nerve. He shews that it 

 arises from the distinct columns of which the crus cerebri is com- 

 posed, by courses of parallel filaments ; and that these afterwards 

 compose a dense structure resembling ganglion. From the anato- 

 mical facts he deduces these conclusions : — That the third nerve 

 being the motor of the eye, is unique in structure and function ; 



