MR. NEWPORT ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE SPHINX LIGUSTRI. 405 



both the motor and sensitive influence ; the legs themselves are but little concerned 

 in the function of respiration, and consequently are but slightly supplied with nerves 

 from the superadded series. But the nerves to the wings, being already formed of 

 two roots, could hardly require an additional one, were it not for some especial 

 purpose, and did not each root confer a distinct endowment. 



In addition to all that has yet been stated respecting the superadded nerves, there 

 is a curious fact relating to the terminal pair, which seems further to prove that they 

 are not simply nerves of motion. These nerves in the Sphinx, and all other insects, 

 and in Crustacea, [Plate XVII. fig. 40. (r)] are given, as before stated, to the rectum, in 

 addition to the terminal pair from the last great ganglion of the cords, and end in 

 the sphincter muscles. Now if these were simple motor nerves, we should expect that 

 they would be approximated to the terminal pair, which come directly from the last 

 great ganglion of the cords, instead of merely passing along parallel with them, and 

 ending separately, although in the same structures, viz. the sphincter and levator 

 muscles of the anus. But it may be said that this does not prove them to be other 

 than simple motor nerves, or that the nerves from the ganglion communicate both 

 sensation and motion. This objection is clearly answered, and the terminal nerves 

 from the last great ganglion of the cords are shown to communicate motion as well 

 as sensation, from their distribution in the male of the Wild Bee before noticed, An- 

 thophora retusa, Kirby. This insect, which I have taken with its partner in coitu, has 

 the male organ of generation terminating in a forcipated claw, which passes out 

 beneath the anus by the same orifice. With this claw the male firmly seizes and 

 attaches himself to the vagina of the female during the period of coition, which lasts 

 only for a few seconds. The organ must therefore be endowed both with sensation 

 and motion. Now the terminal pair of nerves from the ganglion, after passing back- 

 wards for some distance, divide into two branches, one of which ascends, and is given 

 to the rectum, and levator, and sphincter muscles of the anus, which also receive in 

 addition the terminal pair of nerves from the superadded series, while the other 

 branch is entirely distributed to the male organ, and appears to be the only large 

 nerve which is given to that part ; so that the last pair of nerves from the terminal 

 ganglion are directly proved to communicate both sensation and motion, and there- 

 fore must be of compound structure ; while the last pair of the transverse series are 

 as clearly shown to be superadded nerves. 



II. 3. Structure of the Cords, Nerves, and Ganglia, 

 a. It has been admirably proved by Sir Charles Bell, in his series of experiments 

 upon the nervous system in vertebrated animals, detailed in the papers submitted by 

 him to the Royal Society, that, as regards the physical condition of the being, dif- 

 ferent parts of the spinal column are endowed with diflferent properties, and minister 

 to diff*erent functions — volition, sensation, and involuntary motion. The same train 

 of reasoning which led that distinguished philosopher to the discovery of these facts 



MDCCCXXXIV. 3 G 



