132 STRONG. [Vol. X. 



the dorsal VII by an interval; and in that interval, and dorsal 

 to the Auditory, emerges the fasciculus communis root. 



"In Amblystoma (PI. XII, C) the fasciculus communis com- 

 ponent of the VII, shortly after emerging from the medulla, 

 enters a ganglion lying partly under the anterior extremity of 

 the auditory ganglion and partly anterior to it. From the 

 anterior end of this ganglion emerges the R. palatinus, which 

 then dips downwards piercing the roof of the mouth and pro- 

 ceeding forwards along the latter. Laterally to this and also 

 from the ganglion near its extremity, a small branch is given 

 off which passes directly outwards and forms the most ventral 

 portion of the trunk of the VII. It soon separates, proceeding 

 outwards and downwards to the side of the oral cavity, where it 

 proceeds forwards along it and along the inner side of the lower 

 jaw. It is thus in every respect, except that it is not pushed 

 forwards into the V, identical with the R. mandibularis of 

 Anura, thereby confirming the view that the latter is derived 

 from the fasciculus communis. 



"The ventral root, or rootlets, of the VII (VII ab) could, in 

 part at least, be traced out, and forms the portion of the trunk 

 of the VII, as it passes outwards, which lies immediately above 

 the fasciculus communis branch just described. Though fused 

 with the latter and with a part of the dorsal VII (VII b) men- 

 tioned below, it can yet be traced continuously until it likewise 

 separates and is distributed to the Mm. digastricus and mylo- 

 hyoideus posterior, corresponding to the motor branches of the 

 R. hyomandibularis in Anura, and showing the derivation 

 inferred for them in the latter to be correct. 



"The dorsal VII (VII b) divides soon after its exit, part 

 passing directly cephalad along the dorsal side of the Gasserian 

 ganglion. It is here this part enters its ganglion, which is 

 fused with the Gasserian ganglion proper. The ventral half of 

 the dorsal VII passes downwards as well as forwards, and then 

 bends outwards directly under the auditory capsule and just 

 anterior to the entrance of the anterior branch of the VII into 

 the capsule. It here fuses with the other components of the 

 VII mentioned, forming the dorsal part of the trunk. In this 

 part of its course and under the outer edge of the auditory 



