MISCKLLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 343 



Gibbons which inhabit the remotest parts of Asia. M. Lartet's discoveries 

 have given rise to much discussion in the French Academy of Sciences, the 

 members of which body do not assign all the remains sent to them to Quadru- 

 mana, but ascribe some of them to Carnivora and Pachydermata. Among 

 other questions, it has been debated whether or not the Gibraltar Monkeys 

 are indigenous to that rock, or whether they are brought by sailors from Af- 

 rica and then let loose. It would be a remarkable proof of inattention, if, 

 after so many years possession, the English could not solve this problem. 



Sea Grape M. Arago, having expressed a desire for further informa- 

 tion respecting the place whence the floating banks of sea-weed, seen off the 

 Azores, originally came, M. Bonnet communicates his observations, all of 

 which tend to the opinion that this weed, which is called the Sea Grape, and 

 is supposed to have been brought by a current from the Bahamas, grows in 

 the place where it is found. He says that, when becalmed and the water 

 has been clear, he has seen detached pieces rise from the bottom in a fresh 

 condition, which may be easily distinguished from those which have been 

 some time on the surface : and M. Bonnet is convinced that, with proper 

 materials, the bottom of this part of the ocean might be reached. This gen- 

 tleman states that, in one of his voyages, when in 23" 26' north latitude, and 

 44° west longitude, the water became quite muddy, and formed a turbid line 

 north-east and south-west, which was half-a-mile broad. 



Analysis of Methods for Determining the Functions of the 

 Brain. — What are the functions of the brain ? The object of the present 

 inquiry is to analyze the several methods tried for the solution of this pro- 

 blem, and to pass a judgment on each. The first method employed was the 

 anatomical : the brain was dissected and its structure examined, in order to 

 determine its functions. But the mere anatomical examination of an organ 

 in the body is inadequate to reveal to us its functions or uses. "We may 

 thus acquire a knowledge of its component parts, or some insight into its 

 structure ; but something more than merely dissecting the dead is required 

 before we can divine the uses of any part in the living : suffice it to say, 

 that dissection has not revealed to us the functions of the brain. This organ 

 is every day dissected ; its functions are still a matter of dispute. Some 

 other method of investigation, then, was necessary, and another was tried, 

 which might still be looked upon as an anatomical mathod ; but in this in- 

 stance the dissection was performed on the brain in the living animal, and 

 hence may be denominated the method by vivisection ; this was a step in 

 advance. The effect of injury or removal of certain parts of the brain was 

 compared with the influence thus excercised on the manifestation of func- 

 tion. When a part was cut out, its function could no longer be exercised ; 

 and it was agreed that by removing each part in succession the use of each 

 would be discovered. This sounded speciously enough ; but the results 

 have demonstrated it to be wholly inadequate. To be able to remove each 

 part separately, we should first know what these parts were ; and, tlien, was 

 it possible to remove one part of the brain without injury to any other part, 

 or such a shock to the whole system as must materially derange every mani- 

 festation of function ? Besides this method could throw no light on the uses 

 of those parts of the brain which are peculiar to man, and therefiire the 

 most interesting anil important ; but which, not being present in the lower 

 animals, could not be made the subject of such experiments. Accordingly, 



