228 DESCRIPTION of a 



Remarks on the Nervous Syftem of this Monjler. 



i. As the fpinal marrow, and pairs of nerves fent off from 

 it, had nearly the ufual fize and ftructure, although the brain, 

 cerebellum, and medulla oblongata, were entirely wanting, we 

 find reafon for calling in queftion the common doctrine of au- 

 thors, which teaches, that the fpinal marrow and nerves derive 

 their origin from the brain and cerebellum, and are dependent 

 upon it as much as the duels of glands are upon the glands 

 which fend liquors into them. 



2. Further, as the feveral parts of this monfter were fur- 

 nifhed with nerves, and as we have found, that its arteries and 

 veins, by a well-regulated, varied and complicated action, cir- 

 culated the blood, we muft fuppofe, that their mufcular fibres 

 were actuated by thofe nerves. We therefore find in this mon- 

 fter, not only the exiftence and common appearance of the 

 fpinal marrow and nerves connected with it, although the brain 

 and cerebellum were wanting, but we have proof that thefe, 

 independent of the brain and cerebellum, may actuate the muf- 

 cular' fibres in the veflels of an animal, or that nervous energy, 

 or fluid, as it is commonly called, is not derived from the brain 

 and cerebellum folely ; that is, we conclude, that the nerves, as 

 well as the brain and cerebellum, are capable of furnifhing 

 nervous energy ; and that there is no more reafon for believing, 

 that the nerves are derived from the brain, than that the brain 

 is derived from the nerves ; or all the parts and branches of the 

 nervous fyftem appear to poffefs the general power or office of 

 furnifhing nervous energy. 



Of 



