PJiUosophical Tramactiom. 377 



Ycry distinctly before us in explaining the variety of functions 

 performed in the face. 



In the head and face of man, and of the higher classes of 

 brutes, there are two distinct sets of nerves which pass to the 

 same parts. Anatomists have hitherto supposed that this two- 

 fold provision was for increasing the nervous power, and for 

 securing its influence by numerous communications in parts 

 liable to accident. But Mr. Bell, in opposition, as far as we 

 know, to all anatomists and physiologists who have preceded 

 him, has proved these two classes of nerves to be entirely dif- 

 ferent in functions. 



By cutting across one of them he deprived the muscles of the 

 face, and particularly of the nostril, of all power of motion in 

 consent with the act of respiration; but this was not the only 

 effect produced, for at the same time all that animal activity in 

 the features which indicates passion, was destroyed. But it is 

 very remarkable, that whilst those particular functions of the 

 muscles of the face were suppressed by cutting one set of nerves, 

 the muscles still retained their full power when employed in 

 other functions, as, for example, in the act of eating. The next 

 set of experiments is equally curious. Upon cutting across the 

 other class of nerves, leaving that which controls the action of 

 respiration entire, the sensibility of the skin and the action of 

 the muscles in mastication were destroyed, whilst all those 

 operations which we might suppose are the most delicate, as 

 belonging to the act of breathing and expression, continued 

 unimpaired. 



We need scarcely add that these experiments were made upon 

 brutes, but numerous examples of injury or d'sease of the 

 nerves of the human face prove, that the same distinction or 

 classification of functions exists in the human countenance. 



We look forward with much interest to the promised paper 

 on the Nerves of the Neck and Throat — and shall then endea- 

 vour to lay before our readers more detailed observations on 

 the new views which Mr. Bell's investigations suggest to the 

 physiologist, and on their probable importance in the practice 

 of physic and surgery. 



xvi. Fai titer Researches on iJte Mar/netic Phenomena produced 

 by Eleclricilij, with some new Experiments on the Properties 

 of electrijied Bodies in their Relations to condiiclinij Power 

 and Temperature. By Sir H. Davy, Burt., P. R. S. 



This is, in our opinion, by far the most important addition fo 

 the discoveries in electro-magnetism which has been made 

 aiiicc the announcement of galvo-magnetisni by Oersted ; it is 

 !i dear and perspicuous, though brie f narration, of several im- 

 porliiut researches, of wiiich we need not say more than that 



Vol.. XII. 2 C 



