206 



In this paper the author treats of the Facialis nerve or portio 

 dura of the seventh nerve. 



He commences with a view of the Respiratory System of Nerves. 

 Vindicating the terra, he proceeds to shew that the Facialis belongs 

 to this system, and that it possesses a double function and double 

 origin. That this composite condition of the nerve is not, however, 

 like the double nerves of the spine (which have a root for motion 

 and a root for sensation), but that its origins shew it to be connected 

 with the column of voluntary motion and of the column of respi- 

 ration. He then enters on the illustration of the various influences 

 exerted through the filaments of this small nerve on the face. Its 

 double relation to the will and to the automatic action — the motions 

 of the air-passages in unison vAxh the other respiratory actions — 

 the combination with the same in speech ; and, finally, as they are 

 the instruments of expression, of emotion or passion. Concluding 

 with a comparison of the many functions of the nerve with its com- 

 plex origins. 



2. Description of the H}'drodynameter, a new instrument for 

 shewing the rate of Sailing of Ships and Velocity of 

 Currents, Rivers, Tides, &c. By Mr R. Adie, of Li- 

 verpool. Communicated by l)r Traill. 

 The author here first refers to the differential barometer of the 

 late Dr WoUaston, from which he derives his new instrument. He 

 then describes the instrument, which, in its simplest form, consists 

 of a glass-tube bent into the form of the letter U inverted, the one 

 end open in the line of the arms downwards, the other has its point 

 turned up .it right angles to this line. A divided scale is placed 

 between the tubes, having its zero point as the centre. AVhen the 

 instrument is used, the upper curve and arms are to be filled with 

 oil, or any other fluid lighter than water, as far as the zero on the 

 scale ; the remaining parts of the tubes are to be filled with water. 

 If the instrument is in this state placed in any current, with the 

 end of the tube which is bent at right angles turned towards the 

 current, the oil will rise in the one arm and descend in the other, till 

 the velocity of the current is counterbalanced by the length of the 

 column of oil displaced, and this varying with the velocity, serves 

 as its measure. The author then goes on to describe the form of 

 instrument to be used for giving the rate of sailing of a ship, being 

 u modification of the same instrument, to answer the situation and 

 to correct for want of perpendicularity caused by the heeling of the 



