Note r — BOOK IV.

The Tympanum of the Ear, or as Valsalva and the Moderns, the Membrana Tympani was taken notice of as early as Hippocrates’s Time. In Birds, it is strained towards the outward Parts; in other Animals towards the Brain, or inner Parts. Monsieur Dionis saith, It is not equally fastened to the whole Circumference of the bony Circle, in which it is inchased; for on the upper Side it hath a free disengaged Part, by which some can give vent to the Smoak in their Mouth. Demonstr. 8. That there is some Passage I doubt not, but I question whether Monsieur Dionis ever saw the disengaged Part he mentions. I have my self carefully searched divers Subjects, and do not remember to have seen any such Passage; and I perceive it escaped the diligent Schelhammer’s Eye. Valsalva also by injecting in through the Tuba Eustachiana, could not force any Liquor into the Meatus Auditorius; but yet he imagines he found the Passage out in another Place of the Drum, in some morbid, and one sound Head. Valsalv. de Aur. Hum. c. 2. §. 8. Mr. Cowper also affirms there is a Passage by the upper Part of the Membrane. Anat. Ap. Fig. 8.