22 PISCES. 



PLATE VII. 



THE SPINAL NERVES OF THE COD. 



(GADUS MORRHUA.) 



1. A LARGE branch of the fifth, joined by a filament from one of the bundles 



about to form the par vagum, just as it issues from the posterior part of the 

 head. It divides, and sends a branch downwards, close to the spinous 

 processes, and communicates with all the branches of the spinal nerves 

 passing towards the dorsal fins ; another communicates with the nerves 

 supplying the jugular and pectoral fins ; a third is directed towards the 

 abdomen, and passes down to the tail, to communicate with the nerves of 

 the ventral fins. Besides these branches, others are given off by it to the 

 skin at the back of the head. 



2. Two branches from the trunk of the par vagum, passing downwards on the 



side underneath the skin ; one is directed towards the tail, the other towards 

 the back. 



3. Part of the anterior origin of a spinal nerve passing forwards. 



4. Part of the posterior origin of a spinal nerve passing forwards. 



5. Part of the anterior origin of the same spinal nerve passing backwards. 



6. Part of the posterior origin of the same spinal nerve passing backwards. 



The disposition of the spinal nerves is very interesting. Each anterior and poste- 

 rior bundle, issuing from the spinal cord, is divided into two branches. One branch 



