C ’77 1 
VI. Experiments on the Nerves , particularly on their Repro- 
duction ; and on the Spinal Marrow of living Animals. By 
William Cruikshank, Esq. Communicated by the late John 
Hunter, Esq. F. R. S. 
Read June 13, 1 776. 
The nerves on which these experiments were made are, the 
par vagum, and intercostal. The par vagum arise from the 
basis of the brain, pass through the basis of the skull, along 
with the internal jugular veins. They are distributed to the 
tongue, oesophagus, larynx, heart, and lungs; and, running on 
each side of the oesophagus, may be said to terminate in the 
stomach, liver, and semilunar ganglion of the intercostals, be- 
low the diaphragm ; from whence they are again distributed to 
the viscera of the abdomen. The intercostals also arise from 
the basis of the brain, pass through the basis of the skull, along 
with the carotid arteries. They at first run by the fore part 
of the vertebrae of the neck, still adhering to the coats of these 
arteries ; but having reached the chest, they leave these arte- 
ries, and run before the heads of the ribs, where, sending off 
branches which pass between the ribs, they have thence been 
named intercostals. Several of these branches uniting, form a 
trunk on each side, which, running forwards towards the 
middle of the spine, perforates the diaphragm, and then termi- 
nates in the semilunar ganglion of the intercostals. These 
trunks are distinguished by the name of the anterior intercos- 
mdccxcv. A a 
