328 
MR. BELL ON THE NERVES OF THE FACE. 
interruption to sensation, but the sign that it bestows sensibility; making certain 
what could be only assumed from the experiments on the spinal nerves. 
But he was acquainted also with my opinions drawn from the distribution 
of the nerves in the body contrasted with the anatomy of their roots. And 
when the correctness of these opinions was established by experiment, he let no 
opportunity pass of advocating and supporting them. In collecting informa- 
tion and making dissections he was ever active, as all the real students educated 
with him will testify. It was in the fervour of his zeal that he went to Paris 
and explained the arrangement by which I distinguished the nerves, and re- 
peated my experiments with M. Magendie and others at Charenton near Paris 
in 1821 . 
At this time an idea was thrown out that the fifth nerve was no more than 
the sensitive nerve of the face accidentally separated from the muscular nerve 
(the portio dura). Perceiving that if this notion prevailed we should be thrown 
back into our former state of confusion, and to put the matter beyond all 
question, Mr. Shaw performed those experiments which are contained in this 
paper, — experiments which in the gentleness of his nature he would have hesi- 
tated to make from their severity, but for their being imperatively called for. 
Had Mr. Shaw lived, this subject would have been further advanced. Whilst 
his excellent judgement and indefatigable exertions aided me in every diffi- 
culty, his gratification in witnessing the progress of these inquiries was a re- 
ward beyond what I have now to look for. 
Explanation of Plate VIII. 
In this figure the superficial nerves of the face are turned off, and the dis- 
tribution of the third division of the fifth to the muscles of the jaws and cheek 
exposed. 
A. The portio dura of the seventh or respiratory nerve of the face coming 
out from the stylomastoid foramen ; the principal branches are cut and folded 
forwards. 
B. The trunk of the portio dura of the seventh, dissected off the face and 
pinned out, while it is left at its connections with the branches of the fifth on 
the cheek and lips. 
