ON THE FACIAL NERVE. 235 



the influence of this nerve are continued during the repose or annihilation of sen- 

 sation and volition. 



It is not possible to account for all the finer operations of the features by the 

 investigations of anatomy. Yet we see that this nerve arises in most peculiar 

 circumstances, that its roots are connected with the nodus cerebri, a name well 

 chosen, since in it, without exaggeration, fibres are crossing in every possible 

 direction. We may display these fibres, and we may suppose that each filament 

 has its influence ; but it is better to stop short of conjecture, and to rest on the 

 demonstrated fact that this nerve is special, in one sense a double nerve, not, how- 

 ever, like the double nerves of the spine, where action and sensibility are con- 

 joined, but double in as far as two modes of action are effected through it ; one 

 independent of mind, the other answering to its slightest emotions. 



There is indeed nothing more remarkable than those distinct offices, and that 

 variety in the motion of the features, arranged and controlled through a single 

 nerve not larger than a thread, combining the features in the general act of re- 

 spiration, giving utterance in speech, and indicating every degree and variety of 

 emotion. 



I had at one time been deceived into the belief that laughter, and all the 

 changes of the face indicative of what is pleasurable or ludicrous, were but the 

 result of the degrees of relaxation of the muscles, as it were a defect of action. 

 Such an opinion is untenable when we perceive the consequences of the loss of 

 this nerve, for its defect of influence, so far from giving place to a smile, reduces 

 the features at once to the most painful and melancholy relaxation. 



Laughter, and all the changes of the countenance indicative of pleasurable 

 emotion, are neither the effect of relaxation nor of spasm incidentally produced. 

 It is a balanced condition of the features, in which certain muscles are in activity, 

 whilst others are thrown out of action. In the painful emotions, still influencing 

 the features through the same nerve, another classification of muscular actions 

 takes place ; some muscles in tension, others incontroUably relaxed, both condi- 

 tions, and all the intermediate states, are designed as the outward signs of passion ; 

 and from which are afforded the highest and the most unceasing gratification, a 

 language which is the charm of life, and the bond amongst men. 



But I am somewhat trespassing, and deviating from the proper object of the 

 paper, which was to shew in what the facial nerve or portio dura is distin- 

 guished from the symmetrical nerves — that it is in a different sense a compound 

 or double nerve, and that its roots correspond so far with its various functions. 



In my next paper, I shall endeavour to shew the necessity of combination 

 between the Facial Nerve and those which enter into the orbit. 



