CRANIAL NERVES OF CHIMERA MONSTROSA. 675 



11. The 'recurrent facial' of Teleostean fishes has no homoloo;ue in Selachians, and 

 requires further investigation. 



The following facts relating specially to CJiimsera may be noticed : — 



12. The eye muscle nerves have the normal distribution. 



13. The trigeminus, except the usual anastomosis with the buccal division of the 

 lateral line system, remains perfectly distinct from the Vllth, and the fusion between 

 the roots of these two nerves so characteristic of other Selachians does not obtain. 



14. The profundus is a branch of the Vth, and sends twigs to two sense organs of 

 the supra-orbital canal. It afterwards completely fuses with the superficial ophthalmic 

 of the lateral line system. 



15. The superficial ophthalmic of the Vth retains its individuality, and does not, in 

 the typical condition, fuse with the nerve of the same name belonging to the lateral 

 line system, nor does it innervate any portion of the latter. 



16. A pharyngeal branch arises from the maxillary division of the Vth, and possibly 

 others from the mandibular division. The latter anastomoses with the external man- 

 dibular division of the lateral line system. 



17. Despite the complete absence (?) of a spiracle, the facial has the structure of a 

 typical branchial nerve. 



18. All the lateral line nerves arise by separate roots, the superficial ophthalmic and 

 external mandibular both having dorsal and ventral roots. 



19. The sacculus contains a hard, calcareous otolith of curious shape, hitherto un- 

 described. 



20. The glosso-pharyngeal does not innervate any sense organs of the lateral line. 



21. The vagus is in a more primitive condition than in any other known vertebrate, 

 consisting of four separate ganglionated nerves, each arising by a separate root from the 

 brain. 



22. The first two spinal nerves pass through the cranium, and have no dorsal roots. 

 These must be regarded as portions of spinal nerves, doubtless representing the hypo- 

 glossus of higher vertebrates, but not connected with the vagus. 



23. On the whole, the cranial nerves of Chimsera closely resemble those ofLsemargus, 

 and in this respect at any rate Chimsera is nearly related to the Elasmobranchs. 



May 1896. 



