I have given my reason for the dissent; and I trust that I have, in no instance, gone beyond that candid criticism, which it is necessary to exercise on all scientific topics. I beg to repeat the request with which I conclude the preface to my former volume, that my readers will use towards me the same liberty which I have used towards others; that they will, without reserve, point out all the errors and imperfections which may be found in the work. I have thought it, upon the whole, more advisable to defer the notice of these remarks until the publication of my third and concluding volume; as by this means I shall have the advantage of another year's experience, an advantage which is of no small moment in a science so rapidly progressive as that of Physiology. CONTENTS. Page 1 1 § 1. Mechanism of respiration.... Description of the organs of respiration; trachea, pulmonary No air between the pleuræ... Description of the process of respiration; inspiration, ex- 3 5 Air vesicles; descriptions of Malpighi, Willis, and others.. 16 Remarks on the minute structure of the lungs......... 38 Page Discoveries of Black; of Priestley; of Lavoisier.. Oxygen consumed in respiration; inquiry into the quantity. Different quantity in the different classes of animals ..... The nervous system, how far concerned in respiration Effect of dividing the par vagum upon the respiration.... 163 Experiments of Legallois; of Provençal, and others Action of the nerves upon the diaphragm.. Remarks upon Vesalius's and Hooke's experiment........ 173 Action of the blood upon the heart; Goodwyn's hypothesis 174 |