214 



for a particular purpose, or with distinct endowment, causes mucli 

 of the apparent irregularity in the nerves of the base of the brain. 



Third, The fifth nerve being like a spinal or double nerve, shoot- 

 ing up into the base of the brain, and in the centre of nerves of a 

 peculiar function, gives additional intricacy. 



Fourth, The Nerves of Respiration, standing distinct in origin and 

 function from all the others, and yet necessarily bestowing influence 

 on some of these, complete the apparent irregularity of the nerves 

 of the base of the brain. 



In short the double origin and double function of the nerves of 

 the spine, is the reason of their uniformity and simplicity, as they 

 are all alike. The nerves of the brain difl^er from each other, and 

 from the nerves of the spine, inasmuch as each has its peculiar ori- 

 gin and distinct function ; they, therefore, vary in course and dis- 

 tribution, and hence the apparent intricacy. 



2. On the Superficial Deposits of Gravel, Clay, Sand, &c., 

 which cover the Rock Formations of the Lothians, and 

 south coast of Fife. By David Milne, Esq. 



The author enumerated seven difl*erent deposits, overlying the 

 rocks of the district, and subjacent to the existing soil which sup- 

 ports vegetation. These he described in the following order, be- 

 ginning with the lowest. 



(1.) Sand and fine gravel, which in some places form beds twelve 

 feet thick. 



(2.) Boulder-clay — being a stiff black or dark brown clay, charac- 

 terised by enormous boulders imbedded in it, and which is occa- 

 sionally forty feet thick. 



(3.) Gravel or stoney clay — of a light brown colour, full of gra- 

 vel and angular fragments of rock, not exceeding thirty feet in 

 thickness. 



(4.) Beds of fine clay, out of which the greater part of the bricks 

 and tiles manufactured in the district are made. At Portobello 

 this clay is 100 feet thick. 



(5.) Banks ofsa?id — pretty free from gravel, and containing oc- 

 casionally fragments of shale and coal, sometimes thirty-five feet 

 thick, and existing at a level 200 feet above the sea. 



(6.) Shelly and satidy deposit, intervening between the shores of 

 the Firth of Forth and an ancient sea-cliff that runs nearly parallel 

 to the shore, but not rising higher than forty feet above high-water 

 mark. 



