1815.] Scleniyic Intelligence. 3iy 



of sense and the cerebellum are the first and the last portions of 

 the nervous system ; so sensation and volition are the first and the 

 last of its functions. But this supposition is completely confirmed, 

 when vve recollect that the degrees of voluntary power always bear 

 a close analogy to the various magnitudes of the cerebellum. In 

 fishes, for instance, which possess amaziug locomotive power, the 

 cerebellum is often larger than tbe hemispheres! (P. 176, Op. Cit.) 



" The spinal marrow actually consists of Jmr columns, of which 

 two are anterior and ta^o posterior. In the anterior columns ter- 

 minate the anterior fasciculi of all the spinal nerves ; and theae 

 columns themselves, passing through the medulla oblongata, crura 

 cerebri, and corpora striata, terminate in the hemispheres of the 

 cerebrum. The anterior f isciculi of the spinal nerves are, there- 

 fore, their ascending fasciculi, and the anterior columns of the 

 spinal marrow are its ascending columns. From the cerebellum 

 again descend the posterior columns of the spinal marrow, and from 

 these proceed the posterior fasciculi of the spinal nerves. T'he 

 posterior columns of the spinal marrow are, therefore, its descend- 

 ing columns, and the posterior fasciculi of the spinal nerves are 

 their descending fasciculi. Hence it is that these nerves and almost 

 all the nerves of the body, havejilaments of ascending and filaments 

 of descending impression ; are at once nerves of sensation and nerves 

 of locomotion." (Page 142.) 



These quotations are, I believe Sir, sufficiently decisive as to the 

 original author of those discoveries, which Dr. Cross intends to 

 make the subject of his promised work. 



On this subject I may take this opportunity of observing, that 

 my friend Dr. Spurzheim, (in his recent and very valuable work on 

 the Anatomy, Physiology, and Physiognomy of the Brain,) has 

 most certainly erred in denominating the cerebellum the organ of 

 amativeness ; for physical love no further depends on the cerebellum 

 than that its degree is of course inseparably connected with the 

 degree of voluntary power which is the proper function of that 

 organ; and hence it is, that the bull and stallion, having larger 

 cerebella and more energetic voluntary power, have also a stronger 

 propensity to physical love than the ox and cow, or the gelding and 

 mare. Notwithstanding this objection however, I reckon that work 

 the most important accession to our anatomical knowledge which 

 ever has been made by any philosopher.* 



I remain, Sir, with great respect, your obedient Servant, 



AlbxiVNder Walker. 



* Since writing the above, Sir, I observe in the 27tli number of your Journal a 

 lutct addrosted to you by Dr. I.c.icli, in which he iridinitpii the large work of fiall 

 and Spur,cliciin on the hiaiii, piihlislK'd at Paris in HOT, as tlie original Miuirce of 

 the dincovrries so unfairly claiined hy Dr. Cniss. In answer to Dr. Leach, I need 

 only kay, 1. 7'liat tiull and Spur/heiui'ii work ncloi'lly contains) no siirh stale- 

 meath; atid '.'. That »ucb «tateuicut>i arc even in direct opposition to tbcir doc- 

 trines. 



r, 



