ORGANS OF THE SENSES. 533 



in proceeding to their destination, and which are liable to be 

 mistaken for terminal loopings. 



Of the Auditory Nerves. '.' At the bottom of the meatus, 

 the portio mollis divides into two branches, one to the ves- 

 tibule and semicircular canals, the other to the cochlea. 



" The vestibular nerve divides into three branches ; the 

 largest is uppermost, and penetrates the depression which 

 is immediately behind the orifice of the aqueduct of Fallo- 

 pius to be distributed to the utriculus, and to the ampulla? of 

 the superior vertical and horizontal semicircular canals. The 

 second branch of the vestibular nerve is distributed to the 

 sacculus ; and the third to the posterior vertical semicircular 

 canal. 



" The cochlear nerve penetrates the funnel-shaped de- 

 pression at the bottom of the auditory canal, and proceeds 

 from it through the numerous foramina, by which its wall is 

 pierced in a spiral manner, to the lamina spiralis of the 

 cochlea. 



" The mode of distribution of these nerves has been already 

 described. 



" The labyrinth receives nerves from no other source but 

 the portio mollis, unless we suppose the portio intermedia to 

 consist of filaments from the facial which accompany the 

 ramifications of that nerve into that part of the ear." 



