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II. The Croonian Lecture. On the existence of Nerves in the 
Placenta. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. V. P. R. S. 
Read November i 8 , 1824. 
In the Lecture which I gave last year, I attempted to trace 
the structure of the human brain to as great a degree of 
minuteness as is consistent with accuracy, by observing its 
appearance in the field of the microscope. This I should 
not have ventured to do under any other circumstances, than 
being assisted by the eye of Mr. Bauer in examining the 
appearances, and in having correct representations of them 
under his hand, to lay before the Society. 
Without these peculiar advantages, I should have been 
afraid of being led into error, either by the fallacies to which 
microscopical observations are liable in themselves, or those 
which so frequently occur when the same eye is not em- 
ployed both in ascertaining the appearances, and in directing 
the pencil by which they are delineated. 
As Mr. Bauer continues to indulge me with the same 
advantages, I shall employ them in the present Lecture in 
prosecuting my enquiry respecting the nerves ; for as no 
anatomist before me has had the assistance of such an able 
coadjutor, it may never happen again ; and I should feel 
myself undeserving of it, were I not to employ it in extend- 
ing our researches in minute anatomy. 
This I have now been enabled to do in no common degree, 
