13S Analysis of Scientific Books. 



field, not only curious as a branch of human physiology, but of the 

 highest importance as relating to the light which it may throw upon 

 the treatment of injuries of the brain, and upon the general patho- 

 logy of that organ. 



With respect to the eye, after stopping to admire Mr. Bauer's 

 beautiful drawings of its different parts, and the new muscle which 

 the microscope alone could have brought within the reach of our 

 observation, we cannot but assent to the use which the author has 

 assigned to it. The discovery of lymphatics in the' choroid coat of 

 the bird's eye is also new, and may be urged in support of the 

 opinions advanced respecting that set of vessels in the brain and 

 stomach. For many years the existence of such vessels in those 

 organs has been admitted ; to have demonstrated them, certainly 

 forms a very important step in the advancement of anatomical 

 knowledge. 



The use of the colouring matter called nigrum pigmentum in the 

 eyes of quadrupeds, and of the marsupium of the bird, when applied 

 generally to the skin of the negro, is probably the most curious 

 discovery contained in these volumes, and one to which no other 

 physiologist has laid claim. The explanation, too, of the manner 

 in which the bird's eye is adapted to the vision of near and distant 

 objects is extremely ingenious, and the result of much elaborate 

 research. 



The detection of the muscular structure of the membrana tympuni 

 in the organ of hearing of the elephant furnishes a strong argument 

 in favour of the study of comparative anatomy, as having added to 

 our anatomical knowledge of the human body, and showing that 

 the charms of music can only reach their utmost extent in the ear 

 that is highly cultivated. 



The investigation of the series of structures employed in supplying 

 the bodies of animals with blood, and of aerating that blood, con- 

 sidered as a distinct inquiry, is very beautiful, and the author must 

 be allowed the merit of having handled his subject both with skill and 

 judgment ; it is a part of the work peculiarly deserving the study 

 of the tyro in anatomy. 



The pressure of other matter obliges us, for the present, to close 

 this work, and to postpone, till the appearance of our next Number, 

 the further account of its contents; we shall then, however, resume 

 the subject more particularly in reference to the contents of the two 

 recently published volumes, which, in point of accurate and splendid 

 engravings, are even superior to their predecessors. 



