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XIV. Of the Organs of the Human Voice. By Sir Charles Bell, K.G.H 
F.R.S. L. % E. 8$c. %c. 8fc. 
Read February 2, 1832. 
The organs of the Human Voice are related to many interesting inquiries 
in science and philology; and yet it is remarkable that this subject has hitherto 
occupied no place in the Transactions of the Society. In a matter so open to 
observation as the anatomy of the throat, there can, indeed, be no new parts 
discovered ; but it will be easy to show that their actions have been very 
negligently treated. 
It will not, I hope, lessen the interest of the inquiry, that I acknowledge 
having an ulterior object in it. The nerves distributed to the neck and throat 
are the most intricate of all. That they have not been unravelled, and dis- 
tinct uses assigned to each, is owing to the complexity and the numerous 
associations of the organs to which they tend. When we shall have seen the 
necessity of combination among the various parts, for producing the simplest 
effort of the voice, we shall find a reason for these numerous nerves, and for 
their seeming irregularities. 
In reviewing the writings of physiologists we observe defects which are obvi- 
ously to be ascribed to the great complexity in the organization, and the real 
difficulty of the subject: but there are others which arise from the habit of 
resting contented with assigning one use for a part in the animal frame ; 
whereas there is nothing which should more excite our admiration, than 
the variety of offices destined to be performed by the same organ. It is in 
contemplating the extent of combination established among the parts of the 
human body, that we become sensible of its perfection above all comparison 
with things artificial ; and this is especially true with regard to the organs of 
the voice. They are remarkable for their union or cooperation in function ; 
they all perform more than one office, and are interwoven and associated 
