CEREBRUM.

Gather your senses wearied by the image of so many things,

The lofty task stretches to ethereal regions,

Prick up your ears now, and renew the sharpness for your eyes,

The ingenious house does not tolerate the stupid.

Having advanced, we enter the citadel of Pallas equipped with the Senses,

Which shines white with wondrous folds.

Behold! a marrow-like, and rather soft Parenchyma,

Which parent Nature has fortified with firm ramparts.

To be sure, the royal seat demanded these walls,

And the state of the Cerebrum, worthy of constant honor.

The *Calvaria* describes its principal boundaries there,

fashioning the location of the organ with its own sphere.

Hence, slightly depressed on either side, it stands,

a round shape suited to sacred things.

By this very fact, the more divine sphere of the *Cerebrum* expresses

the brighter convexities of the star-bearing pole.

Moreover, this portion rises up with such a great mass,

that it is far smaller in a very large ox.

This weight the constant perfection of its varied function,

and the animal force, which continually needs new assistance,

demands; for a manifold action does not thrive

on few spirits, nor is it strong in a small dwelling.

But since the fabric of this organ is usually distinguished,

ennobled by diverse places,

and one part is accustomed to be called the *Cerebrum*,

but the other the *Cerebellum*, and each stands well with its own vessels;

and then also the *Medulla*, wonderfully extended through the spine,

is present, worthy to be sung of by more than one name:

my intention is to observe the parts of the *Cerebrum* first, preserving the order,

before care and labour are devoted to the rest.

Therefore, with the twofold *mater* now removed, behold the *Cerebrum* itself,

and the windings with which that part abounds.

Above, indeed, and rightly so, I called it a quite soft *Parenchyma*,

but that softness enjoys a varying degree:

Namely, the outer substance is less soft,

hence it bears the name of the tough *Cortex*;

but the inner, like something fatty and waxy, melts,

so that it may deservedly and rightly be called the *Medulla*.

Moreover, each of the two generally differs in colour,

the former resembles ashes, the latter shines more white.

Moreover, its dense substance, like a Gland,

Is believed to teem entirely with tiny globes;

But its countless Roots, and the Vessels through which

The dewy wave of spirits flows, fill up its mass.

Furthermore, note the two Ventricles, separated by the Falx,

And situated in the anterior region.

For here the generation of spirits was once believed

By many to occur, but nonetheless without grounds.

No door lies open, no connection to the Nerves here

Prepares an entrance, and favors the spirits.

The common opinion relies on weak supports,

And vainly hopes for aid from ingenuity.

Spirits and wastes scarcely linger in one seat;

You would rather call these sinuses a bilge.

Rather, it is fitting to point out the bodies which Willis

First discovered, and which he calls striated:

And they are two in number, and gleam full of rays;

Here the Common Sense performs its functions.

But what of the remaining cavities? you ask,

To which they also apply the name of Ventricles?

I do not know why these sinuous spaces are valued so highly,

Or what can ennoble the fourth place?

The Connection shows the matter, as if with pointing fingers,

And teaches that all these places serve for excretions.

For the Infundibulum, adorned with its pelvis and tubule,

All the ventricles (as you yourself see) seek out.

And other processes are present, each of a different shape,

Scarcely worthy for my Muse to sing of:

For indeed one may not name them, save with a shameless brow;

Nay, even the place itself makes them rather obscene:

For who, I ask, would think that Buttocks, a Penis with Testicles; who

Would think that a Vulva could dwell in the Brain?

And yet it pleases to associate such companions with it—alas for shame!—

(So that Reason perhaps might stand in need of Reason?).

Let us pass over those who have the pleasure to be thus wanton,

Since these little parts carry a feeble weight.

And let our labor turn over in mind and hand only that process

Which the more honourable name of the Pine adorns.

To keep silent about this is a wrong; because even Descartes himself

Marks it as distinguished by its manifold usefulness.

Here, as if in a center, objects are aroused by silent

Motions; a single apex receives them all:

Soon, at the same time, whatever ideas are present from the external

Senses, the Mind perceives as if in a mirror;

And it discerns them all, and forces them to undergo its tribunal,

And, itself the arbiter, sends them to its nerves.

Evidently, this noble Gland provides these functions,

Whence it also duly bears the form of a Cone.

Every court of the Mind is held in this part,

And it alone rules each thing by its counsel.

Thus indeed the subtle Master loves to assert,

And thus teach the Schools, which that novelty moves.

But it has not yet been permitted to us to see so acutely,

Or to find Truth hiding in this place.

This opinion, I confess, smacks of a genius which the pious Muse

Forbids to defraud of its praise;

But let it be lawful for us, in the manner of the praised master,

First to call this dogma into doubt,

Before we strengthen it with the weight of our assent, although

Perhaps that will be of no great weight.

Who, I ask you, could think that the forms of things

Can be represented in this meager body?

How will the Gland be so cheap a seat of Reason?

Would the wise Mind wish to inhabit this home?

Behold! this lowly portion is touched by no nerves,

Nay, it constantly teems entirely with excrements.

But let it be granted; suppose a few nerves finally arrive here,

What will happen to the rest, for whom this path is closed?

Therefore, these exchanges will forsake certain senses,

And Man will be cast down from his own seat!

What! if such things happened in a tiny Cone,

A great chaos of ideas would arise from it.

Perhaps this is the reason that, even for its defenders,

This matter has so far proceeded on an uncertain foot.

Hence they busy themselves setting forth their mind in doubtful words,

And each of the modest ones says with his voice: "It seems!"

Behold! Reason is too often deceived by a wondrous art,

So that the mind also thinks new things to be true, just because they are new.

Therefore let the Gland be left to its guardian Sect,

So that it may understand as much as is given to know in this part.

The tasks to be done call our mind elsewhere

And bid our eyes to behold the Vessels of the Brain.

"Why do you bring forth the Vessels of a bloodless Brain, why these empty

Names?" thus a Follower of Aristotle would retort:

But truly, since this substance swells with countless Vessels,

Do you perhaps fear lightning from a basin?

Nay, let us excuse (since many very subtle

Little vessels lie hidden) the remote dogmas of the Old Man.

But if that part lacked blood-flowing ducts,

By what means, I ask, tell me, would it be nourished?

I shall lead you to the matter at hand; now observe the capillary veins for me,

behold the tiny vessels!

Nor indeed did the nature of the Brain desire larger ones,

since rushing blood brings the greatest harms.

But whence these vessels of each class arrive,

it is not so obvious a task to point out.

They are present from the greater branch of the internal Carotis,

which arterioles you see entering the lowest parts.

From here nourishment flows out of the primary source of blood,

and whatever is in need is nourished by the vital nectar.

But as for the veins swelling with returning blood, the interior branch,

which the Jugularis possesses, extends them.

Here at the same time a wondrous abundance gathers in countless vessels

(often exercising both hand and mind):

Whence also a twofold Plexus is shown in arrangement,

(but it is granted to see both more in brute animals,)

The former clings in the anterior sinus of the Brain, both right and left,

but the latter sits around the base.

And it shines near the Sella Equina of the Sphænoid,

and it warms itself with its many arterioles.

Hence the wondrous Rete resounds throughout the entire theatre,

for there the animal Force undergoes its beginnings;

and desired nourishments are prepared for its spirits,

without which the noble work of the Brain languishes.

Doubtless, it is believed to produce these wondrous uses,

by which the Rete has laid nets for learned Men.

And now, I see, you likewise demand my small effort,

and at the same time solicit my skilled hands.

But what do you demand to be shown in the human body,

which nowhere lies open to hands and eyes?

The more you inquire, the less it will appear; your sharpness

soon dulls, and this Network will be an entity of Reason.

Thus, therefore, at last it ceases to be wonderful,

and belief itself frees itself from its own plexus.

The other part of the Cerebrum, famous by the name of Cerebellum,

now comes into view, with a smaller mass.

This weak part occupies the posterior part of the head,

I do not know why Aristotle calls it empty?

For you yourself see that the occiput is sufficiently filled,

as much as is permitted for this cavity of the part.

Its form rises up, proceeding from four different

parts, and the position gives each its own name.

Those are the middle ones, these are called the lateral ones,

shape compares these to worms, and those to globes.

No less than the Cerebrum, the Cerebellum rejoices in a Cortex

and also a Medulla; but in a different manner:

For the substance of the twin part is harder,

the Cortex dark, the Medulla more yellow.

And then the whole surface, compared to the Cerebrum, is flatter,

on account of smaller windings.

Indeed, in these gyri a more beautiful order is found,

which both the pia mater and the vessels construct.

Several little vessels are carried through the thin meninx,

and indeed go dispersed, like a net.

The Cervical Artery gives these with many a branch,

and finally they all go off into the fourth sinus.

Also worthy of sight are the silvery threads of the Nerves,

of which an apt hand will uncover ten on either side.

And here Willis, by no means to be cheated of his honour,

has provided an outstanding work of diligence.

Follow the master with me; you will see distinct details,

Which he himself explains in learned books.

The pair, which aids the sense of smell, leads the ranks of the order,

Touching the anterior parts with its process:

The one sacred to the eyes follows this, second in the series,

And the one that follows, moves the said eyes.

But the fourth connection shows tiny nerves,

By which the mind itself teaches its own movements.

Fallopius reckons this to be the eighth pair,

But the more beautiful arrangement of the Englishman pleases us.

Observe now the fifth (which is commonly considered the third)

Connection; this is usually larger than the fourth;

Hence also it brings greater use to various parts,

Which, rich in branches, it adorns everywhere;

By this the face, the eyes, the nose, and the palate along with the mouth

Rejoice in and enjoy a common aid.

And besides, two succeed, and smaller than these

Nerves, which will constitute the sixth pair for you:

They accompany the movers of each eye, and every

Good that is in these nerves, the orbit obtains.

The next connection that follows proceeds to the ears,

So that they may grasp the received words by their proper sound.

A new section shows us the eighth in number,

Pair, (others are often accustomed to call it the sixth,)

This consists of several nerves, and wanders variously,

And hence it suitably has the name of the vagus.

Beneath this, the ninth in order with many fibers

Reveals itself as a pair, bringing many benefits to the tongue:

Below this, with the hindmost part of the occiput opened up,

The final bond of nerves closes the path.

But, as if at a crossroads, it acquires a doubtful origin,

While the Spine claims it for itself, and the Head.

These are the conspicuous Nerves beneath the cover of the Brain,

And the learned hand demonstrates them all in this order.

To be sure, it is easy to add certain things to discoveries already made,

The future hour will instruct the days completed.

And yet its own glory remains firm for the ancient race,

Nor do ancient deeds please, save those which are new.

And now the uses of the Brain, and now at last of the Cerebellum,

Would be to be spoken of by you, as the rule commands:

But first see the Marrow drawn forth from the fountain of the brain,

Which prepares its beginnings for the Spinal Trunk.

Wondrous, she lies hidden, conceived in the globe of the head,

And she departs further through the open foramen of the Cranium,

Thence continuing her courses through the junctions of the Back,

Until she is driven to the extremity of the sacral bone.

To be sure, this same part is that silver

Cord, of which the sacred Page sings to us.

In her beginning she is ample enough, and she emerges thicker;

With the pia mater establishing two parts:

Nature wished to protect herself by a double structure in this part,

So that, with one languishing, the second might be safe.

Moreover, she is split into several (like a horse's

Tail) small cords, here, where her end is present.

She is covered by a triple membrane; the pia gives the first

Mater, while the second comes from the dura mater;

And the third and outermost seeks her origins, with Galen as witness,

From the strong cord binding the back;

And hence this ligament soon ends in a robust

Tunic, in the posterior place of the part;

So that the varying extension of the spine might happen more safely,

And the marrow might not suffer damage in a bent position,

Just as an osseous structure, the Calvaria, protects the Cerebrum,

So also the marrow thrives enclosed by the vertebrae.

For indeed every vertebra gives this utility to the whole,

By which the Sacred Pipe has long deserved to be sung.

What I could now say concerning the fourth ventricle,

I omit, lest twice-cooked cabbage be served to you.

Therefore nothing remains, except to recount the great

Advantages of the Cerebrum, to be observed in diverse places.

That the Soul itself resides here, which rejoices in the name

Of Mind, was the noble dogma of many:

Evidently reverence for Pallas shines in this citadel,

And the Head both bears and holds the head of things.

But our opinion follows the opposing side,

By which such great glory awaits the chamber of the Heart.

Yet we do not disturb the honor assigned to the Cerebrum,

Even though the first palace itself is given to the Heart.

More than one Faculty of the King stands out in the Cerebrum,

Bearing witness to the divine radiance of the Mind.

Or this wondrous Organ teaches by its own whiteness,

That it is accustomed to exert its power in countless ways.

The fruitful generation of spirits for new things

Accomplishes every task in an inaccessible hearth;

And the Vital Flame warms it with supplied light,

And with a never-failing provision.

You might say that these labors are performed as if by chemical art,

But the kind which only the minister of GOD knows:

For although an illumination rises from this for obscure things,

And the work of Nature is thus made more manifest;

Yet do not subject this to the inventions of men:

That would be; to have placed GOD after human intellect!

Thus Sensation, sprung from ethereal seats, thrives,

And the animal Force is present at the nod of the Mind.

The Observer also stands contemplating the lights of things,

And duly reports each detail presented to herself:

Retention, happy with various gifts, is added,

And stores names and things in her mindful bosom.

For that there are so many tiny caverns for man alone,

And windings of the Brain; what does it teach, if not the things said?

The sharpness of human Reason surpasses them all,

And governs all endeavors by its own steering.

By this itself mortal Man that he knows what is known

Perceives, and wisely conducts the affairs of life:

Hence the prudent inhabitant of the world commands the remaining brute animals,

Worshipping GOD with both speech and reason!

Am I mistaken, or does a new Question pluck the ear

with ambiguous movements, and thinks itself pressed by our art?

Before, Care gave the scepters to the Heart, now she leaves them to the Brain,

you say; or does your mind sit in a foolish seat?

But fair words! I ask: to whom the palace of the Heart is dear,

To him the Brain will be too. A house stands without a belly.

The Heart is the seat of the Soul; there is the glorious root of life;

But its manifest Force has wisdom in the Brain.

What of the fact that the fluid, than which no other is more excellent,

the Blood, makes the location doubtful everywhere for both?

Or that it considers these parts by right its servants,

Which stand and fall at the nod of their master?

I indeed do not ponder such great cares, O ANATOMY,

Whose pleasure it is to cut these knots with the knife:

Let the sage, whom the origin of the human mind troubles,

Dispute equally about the seat and location of the mind;

But perhaps he will exhale his very soul first,

Before he is able to untangle these difficult folds.

I do not care. Its own pleasure seizes each disposition!

Meanwhile, I diligently pursue the path I have begun.

For I see that you also ask the function of the Cerebellum,

Whether it joins allied hands with the Cerebrum everywhere?

Here indeed the subtle Englishman puts forth different doctrines,

But he proves them in an excellent manner.

Namely, the action which is subject to our will,

He advises that the power of this resides in the Cerebrum:

But the functions which are performed against our will,

These he judges the Allied Glory of the Cerebrum undertakes.

Truly! A loftier study tastes of gnawed nails,

Secondary care will give this the weight of time.

Finally, the spinal marrow must not be passed over in silence,

Since indeed it does not lack its own duties.

For, white, it scatters many branches of nerves,

And, swelling, commands the strength of the spirits to be present:

Whence the limbs of the body rejoice in new effort,

And at the same time both foot and hand do their duty.

Thus I have given most parts of the Cerebrum, O Dissection,

With the Muse supplying the manner of explaining:

If I wished to deduce every single thing down to the smallest fibres,

An immense work, I confess, would call us back!

But to one playing it will be permitted to have kept silent about certain things,

Nor will the rigour of Momus demand them from us.

As for mature things, so for growing things, there is their own age;

There is a time when the Senses see nothing; there is a time when they see many things.

And since sometimes even great Homer sleeps;

Who would wish to be too harsh on someone playing?