88 AYES. 



question whether an accessory nerve really exists ; if it does, its origin and connection 

 with the par vagum are so close as not to allow of a separation. Many of the 

 cerebral, as well as spinal nerves, pass through osseous canals. 



The par vagum, the glosso-pharyngeal, and ninth, continue more separate from 

 each other after their exit from the cranium in the birds, having the most perfect 

 muscles attached to the hyoid bone, the tongue, and lower jaw ; and more conjoined 

 as these parts become less distinct, as in the crane, and particularly in the pelican ; 

 and in the last the nerves and muscles are more confounded than in the snake. 

 Notwithstanding these muscles are so slender and confused, different nerves more or 

 less conjoined supply them ; it may therefore be concluded, that each portion performs 

 a specific function, although the action of the whole is more combined and uniform 

 than in the goose, in which the muscles are so distinct and powerful. It is very 

 probable that the long muscle, which may be compared with either the genio-hyoideal, 

 or the hyo-glossal in the pelican, which is supplied from the conjunction of these 

 nerves, can draw the part of the great pouch occupying the median line into a ridge, 

 and perform functions similar to but less perfect than those of the tongue, inde- 

 pendently of any influence it exerts over the hyoid bone and upper larynx. In the 

 pelican, the greatest part of the nerves supplying the upper and lower jaw, and the 

 pharynx, or great bag, are covered with a black membrane. 



There is very little difference between the spinal nerves of birds and those 

 of amphibia or even of mammalia, except in the number in each region and the 

 origin of the caudal lower down from the more extended spinal cord in the two 

 inferior classes than in mammalia. The number of cervical nerves is very various, 

 but the three inferior and the first dorsal generally form the axillary plexus, 

 the branches proceeding from which observe a considerable similarity to those of 

 mammalia. The number of dorsal nerves is generally fewer, and that of the lumbar, 

 and sacral, and caudal varies, the dorsal nerves pass between the ribs nearly as in 

 mammalia, supply the intercostal muscles and then terminate on the skin ; in the 

 pelican several of these were formed into a plexus near the wing before their final 

 distribution on the skin, most probably for combining in action particular feathers. 



