200 Dr. Haight on's experimental Inquiry 
nity, I conceive it right to conclude, that the actions of those 
organs, which originally were carried on through the means 
of the eighth pair, are now performed by other channels, and 
that the true substance of the nerve is not reproduced. But 
on the contrary, if the animal die in consequence of it, then I 
think it equally just to infer, that the new formed substance is 
really and truly nerve, because we know of no other substance 
which can perform the office of nerve. 
I shall rely then upon the following, and consider it as my 
experimentum crucis. 
EXPERIMENT. 
Having the dog in my possession upon which I divided the 
eighth pair of neryes nineteen months before, I cut through 
both of them now, in immediate succession. The usual symp- 
toms were immediately induced, and continued until the se- 
cond day, when he died. 
After death I carefully dissected out these nerves, and have 
preserved them as evidences of my success. I think I have 
now answered the question I proposed to myself, and can af- 
firm that nerves are not only capable of being united when 
divided, but that the new formed substance is really and truly 
nerve. 
I forbear to make any animadversions on the experiments of 
those who have formed conclusions contrary to my own : to 
such I can only say, that I shall always consider myself highly 
honoured in having the opportunity of showing them the re- 
sult of my own experiments ; and, as far as these will allow 
me, to convince by ocular demonstration , though I should fail to 
persuade by argument. 
