174 
COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 
The medulla oblongata is not only the medium of com¬ 
munication between the brain and the spinal cord, but it 
Fig. 142.— Brain of the Cat (Felis do- 
mestica): a, medulla oblongata; b , 
cerebellum; c, cerebrum. 
Fig. 143_Brain of the Orang-utan, 
upper surface; one third natural 
size. 
is itself a nervous centre: the brain above and the cord 
below may be removed without death to the animal, but 
the destruction of the medulla is fatal. Of the twelve 
pairs of nerves issuing from the contents of the skull (en¬ 
cephalon), ten come from the 
medulla oblongata. Among 
these are the nerves of hearing; 
Fig. 144.—Human Brain, side view: 1, 
medulla oblongata; 3, cerebellum ; 5, 
frontal convolutions of cerebrum. 
Fig. 145. — Human Brain, upper view, 
one fourth natural size: 1, anterior 
lobes ; 2, posterior; 3, great median 
fissure. 
and taste, and those that control the lungs and heart. Res¬ 
piration ceases immediately when the medulla is injured. 
