A. M. Mayer— Researches in Acoustics. 99 
The auditory apparatus we have just described does not in the 
least confirm Helmholtz’s hypothesis of the functions of the organ 
of Corti; for the supposed power of that organ to decompose a so- 
norous sensation depends upon the existence of an auditory nerve 
differentiated as highly as the co-vibrating apparatus, and in the 
case of the mosquito there is no known anatomical basis for 
such an opinion. In other words, my researches show exter- 
nal co-vibrating organs whose functions replace those of the 
tympanic membrane and chain of ossicles in receiving and trans- 
mitting vibrations; while Helmholtz’s discoveries point to the 
existence of internal co-vibrating organs which have no anal- 
ogy to those of the mosquito, because the functions of the for- 
mer are not to receive and transmit vibrations to the senso 
(assumed by Helmholtz to confirm his hypothesis), nor mine on 
the mosquito, can be adduced in support of Helmholtz’s hypo- 
thesis of audition.* 
The above described experiments were made with care, and 
bes: the tympai which : 
tion to be transmitted always in one way through the ossicles to the inner ear. 
determine irection of 
form of the outer ear and by the fact that man can turn his 
tical axis. Other ‘nasinat however, have the power of facilitating the deter- 
mination of motion by moving the axis of their outer ears in n' ons. 
a 
the appreciation of those composite sounds, whose signification mammals are con- 
stantly called upon to interpret. 
