The human brain : its configuration, structure, development, and physiology : illustrated by references to the nervous system in the lower order of animals / by Samuel Solly.

Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The human brain : its configuration, structure, development, and physiology : illustrated by references to the nervous system in the lower order of animals / by Samuel Solly. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    to the long barbules which cover the superior maxilla, and to the muscles of these appendages. We find similar enlargements along the spinal marrow of most fishes*. Thus, for example, in the carp there are behind the cerebellum two swellings, united together by a middle tubercle, and representing in some degree a second cere- bellum. We cannot then doubt that the local augmentation of the mass of the spinal marrow, by the addition of a greater quantity of this sub- stance, is to exalt the action or activity of the nerves which emanate from these ganglia1.” Dr. Fletcher2, of Edinburgh, in his Lectures, when speaking of the distinction between a plexus and a ganglion, says, “ The abundance of grey matter which they contain, and which there is good reason to believe is always a primary source of some distinct faculty or power, &c.3” And again, in another part of the same course of lec- tures he says: <£ It is probable that no impediment whatever is offered to the function of a ganglionic nerve by “ * Arsakay, loc. cit. p. 16. De posteriore Gangliorum Ence- phaluvi constituentium Parte. 1 Tiedemann on the Foetal Brain, translated by Bennet. 2 It is with great pleasure that I embrace this opportunity of expressing the high opinion I entertain of the late lamented Dr. Fletcher’s talents and philosophical mind. Dr. Fletcher had the honour of being among the first, if not the very first lecturer in the kingdom who taught human physiology on the wide and scientific basis of comparative anatomy. 3 Ryan’s Journal, April 18, 1835, page 961, note.