52 C. WINKLER. THE CENTRAL COURSE 



Far more demonstrative power than anatomical proofs, physio- 

 logical proofs may possess. 



If it were demonstrated with certainty that the animal without 

 cochlea, was deaf and without disturbances of motility, and on 

 the other hand, that the animal without the static organ (contents 

 of the vestibulum) was hearing but presenting characteristic motor 

 symptoms if this were surely demonstrated , the actual view 



of the complete mutual independency of the two nerves might have 

 a firm base. 



But, though this view is often defended, I hold it impossible 

 to realise the experiments tending to prove it. 



Our experimental methods are too rough for this purpose. 



As is shown in the preceeding chapter, the animal without 

 cochlea may present slight motor symptoms, not so grave as the 

 characteristic disturbances after the total removal of the labyrinth. 



And as to the hearing of the animal , I repeat, that EWALD thought 

 pigeons were hearing, even after total removal of the labyrinth. 



The enormous litterature on the functions of the otoliths demon- 

 strates the influence that the static organ has on motility. But all 

 this does not demonstrate , that the cochlea , after its differentiation 

 from the static organ, has no longer any such influence. 



Only it is evident, that in quantity its influence must differ 

 from that of the whole labyrinth. Cochlea and vestibulum may be 

 differentiated from a single more simple organisation - - from a static 

 organ. Possibly the one - - the cochlea - - obtained the qualities to 

 prepare the psychical function of hearing. But there is not to be 

 seen any reason , why it should have lost the quality - - originally 

 belonging to the whole organ - - of acting automatically on a greater 

 part of the muscles. 



Possibly the other part - the static organ strictiore sensu - 

 retained in a higher degree its original automatic influence upon the 

 muscles. But it is not proved , why it never should have pos- 

 sessed or why it totally should have lost a function for the per- 

 ception of shock and sound. 



The experiences on dancing Japanese mice show , that those 

 animals, missing nearly completely the whole auditory system, have 

 motor disturbances (are dancing) and are deaf. 



The experiences on deaf-mutes do not contradict the opinion 

 that both parts of the labyrinth or of their nervous system may be 

 damaged, and -in consequence cause deafness and unsteadiness in 

 movements. 



The anatomy of the auditory nervous system in rabbits now 



