286 Dr. Foville's Researches on the Anatomy of the Brain. 



hitherto unnoticed. I multiplied my observations, and found 

 that the facility of making them was increased by daily practice; 

 and I soon became sufficiently familiar with the details of struc- 

 ture which I had noticed, to be able clearly to demonstrate them. 



It is three years since I laid before my preceptors and col- 

 leagues, for their opinion, the anatomical preparations of the 

 brain, which I made in their presence. I was animated by the 

 confidence which their united approbation excited. 



About the same time I had the opportunity of soliciting the 

 judwement of those whose whole career had been devoted to 

 the study of this subject ; and if they were not all decided in 

 favour of my views, by the greater number, the preparations, 

 on which these views were founded, were considered to be con- 

 clusive. 



My Essay was presented to the Academy of Medicine ; but 

 in consequence of the death of Professor Beclard, who was ap- 

 pointed the reporter, the judgement of that learned Society has, 

 down to the present time, been suspended. Notwithstand- 

 ing the Academy of Medicine condescended not long after to 

 award its prize to an extensive Essay on the functions and dis- 

 eases of the nervous system, of which Essay my anatomical 

 researches formed a part. 



Although since that period I have been removed from the 

 capital, in order to take the charge of the medical department 

 of the noble institution for the insane at Rouen, I have not 

 ceased to pursue my anatomical researches, which I am now 

 occupied in describing. 



Before sending my work to the press, the greatest favour 

 to which I can aspire, and the most imposing title which I can 

 covet as a claim to the confidence of the public, is unquestion- 

 ably, the favourable decision of the Academy of Sciences. With 

 the hope that the Academy will grant a few moments to the 

 examination of my observations, I have requested to be al- 

 lowed the honour of reading a summary of the facts which 

 I flatter myself that I have proved. 



Laying aside the historical examination of the subject, and 

 takino- up the science at the point to which I find it at present 

 advanced, I shall in the first place say a few words respecting 

 the spinal marrow, and shall afterwards describe in succession, 

 what I have observed in the organization of the cerebellum, 

 in the crura cerebri, in their expansion in the corpora striata, 

 and thalami nervorum opticorum ; and finally, I shall speak of 

 the oro-anization of the brain itself, and of its principal parts. 



To these anatomical data I shall subjoin such physiological 

 and pathological considerations as the subjects may elicit. 

 [To be continued,] 



XLIV. An 



