The author enters into a minute anatomical investigation of the structure of the spinal cord, and of its relations with the encephalon, and with the origins of the nerves. He finds that the spinal cord is constituted, in its whole length, by six pairs of columns, namely, two posterior, two lateral, and two anterior; each column being composed of concentric layers, and invested with an external coating of cineritious substance, and all the columns being divided from each other by deep sulci, which penetrate nearly to the centre of the cord. On tracing the posterior columns in their ascent towards the encephalon, they are seen to diverge laterally at the
calamus scriptorius
, or bottom of the fourth ventricle, and to proceed into the substance of the cerebellum. Each of these posterior columns is here found to consist of two portions, the outermost being the largest; and they now constitute the
processus cerebelli ad medu oblongatam
. This subdivision of the posterior columns may be traced throughout the whole length of the spinal cord. The lateral columns give origin to the posterior roots of the spinal nerves, and are therefore the parts subservient to sensation. In ascending towards the brain, each of these columns has a double termination; first, in the root of the fifth pair of cephalic nerves; and secondly, in the place where both columns unite into one round cord, and mutually decussate. Between the lateral and the anterior columns there is interposed a layer of cineritious matter, constituting a continuous stratum from the
cauda equina
to the roots of the auditory nerves. There is also a septum, dividing the right and left tracts subservient to sensation in the region of the fourth ventricle, and apparently terminating at the point of decussation of these tracts; but, in reality, separating to allow of this decussation, and joining the central portion of the cord, which connects the posterior with the anterior columns, and extends from the
pons Varolii
to the
cauda equina
.
Auditory pathways
