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IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 
posed of lateralis, communis and motor fibers, leaves the ganglion 
close to the R. lateralis medius and runs parallel with it as far as 
the level of the posterior border of the dorso-laryngeus muscle. 
Here it divides into its branches. One of these, the R. lateralis 
inferior, passes laterally, at first anteriorly and then posteriorly, 
and supplies the ventral series of neuromasts of the trunk. In the 
region of the shoulder girdle the R. lateralis inferior becomes closely 
associated with portions of the brachial plexus, but in no respect 
does it contribute fibers to muscles or other structures of the limb 
girdle, as Bowers 12 inferred in Spelerpes. 
The distribution of the lateral line nerves may be summarized 
as follows: The “dorsal VII” through its branches supplies (a) 
through the superficial ophthalmic VII the supra-orbital series in- 
cluding the infra-orbital transverse line just posterior to the eye; 
(b) through the buccalis VII the infra-orbital series exclusive of 
those neuromasts posterior to the level of the eye; (c) through the 
mentalis externus VII the post-orbital, the jugular, the angular and 
the oral series; and (d) through the mentalis internus VII the gular 
series. The IX-X complex supplies (a) through the supra-temporal 
and auricular branches the occipital group; (b) through the R. lat- 
eralis superior the dorsal series of the trunk; (c) through the 
R. lateralis medius the middle series; and (d) through the R. 
lateralis inferior the ventral series. 
It will be seen from the foregoing that the classification of the 
lateral line organs of Amphiuma as given by Kingsbury needs 
some revision from the standpoint of nerve supply. The infra- 
orbital series, supplied by the buccalis branch, ends posteriorly at 
the level of the posterior border of the eye. The post-orbital series 
includes those neuromasts posterior to the eye classed by Kings- 
bury with the infra-orbital series. It also includes those occipital 
neuromasts that Kingsbury describes as a part of the trunk series 
curving ventrally toward the post-orbital group. It is evident that 
a group of neuromasts in the occipital region, innervated by the 
supra-temporal and auricular branches forms a distinct series. 
The association of lateral line fibers with general cutaneous 
fibers is not uncommon in the Urodela, but the anastomosing of 
lateralis branches with those of the ophthalmicus profundus seems 
to be unusual. 
12. Bowers, Mary A. The Peripheral Distribution of the Cranial Nerves of Spelerpes 
bilineatus. Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sci., XXXVI, 1900. 
