being crossed in any of his desires, or when he finds any of his clothes, or articles with which he amuses himself, removed from the chest in which he keeps them.” * * * "When he is hungry he approaches his mother or sisters, touches them in an expressive manner, and points towards the apartment where the victuals are usually kept. If he wants dry stockings, he points to his legs, and in a similar way intimates his wishes upon other occasions. A pair of shoes were lately brought to him, and on putting them on he found them too small. His mother then took them and put them into a small closet. Soon after a thought seemed to strike him; he contrived to obtain the key of the closet, opened the door, took the shoes, and put them on the feet of a young lad who attends him, whom they suited exactly." * * * "When he is sick and feverish, which sometimes happens, he points to his head, or takes his mother's hand and places it opposite to his heart, seemingly with an intention that she may observe its beating more quickly than usual. He never attempts to express his feelings by utterance, except when angry, when he bellows in a most uncouth manner. Satisfaction or complacency he expresses by patting the person or object which excites that feeling. His smell being wonderfully acute, he is frequently offended through that sense, when other persons near to him smell nothing unpleasant; he expresses his dissatisfaction on such occasions by putting his hand to his nose, and retreating rapidly. His taste seems also to be exquisite, and he expresses much pleasure by laughing and smacking his lips when savoury victuals are laid before him. "His father, when alive, was at much pains in directing him, as his mother still is; but his elder sister seems to have a much greater ascendency over him, and more power of managing him than any other person. Touching his head with her hand seems to be the principal method she employs in signifying her wishes to him re specting his conduct. This she does with various degrees of force, and in different manners; and he seems readily to understand the intimation intended to be conveyed. In short, by gratifying him when he acts properly, and withholding from him the objects of his complacency when he has done amiss, he has been taught a sense of what is becoming in manners, and proper in conduct, much stronger than it could be otherwise believed that any person in his singularly unfortunate situation could acquire." Several further details are given of this interesting case in the above transactions, by the late Professor D. Stewart, Dr Gordon, lecturer on physiology, Sir James Mackintosh, Miss Mitchell, and others. The extracts now cited from Professor Glennie's account may, however, suffice to shew the display of character evinced under such remarkable and fortunately rare circumstances. Another case is detailed in Hibbert's Description of Shetland, of a lad born blind and deaf, but he appears to have been at the same time idiotic, so that the case is not calculated to afford the same interest to the general reader. CHAPTER XI. SMELL AND TASTE. Intimate connexion between Smell and Taste-Not of much importance as Intellectual Channels. SMELL.-The Nostrils-Confidence reposed in Smell by several of the Lower Animals-Its excellence in the Dog-Smell in VulturesIn the Raven-In Fishes-Odours-Gratification derived from Odours influenced by Constitution, Habit, &c.-Classification of-Permanence, Extent, and Divisibility of-Morbid Conditions. TASTE.-Seat of-Papillæ of the Tongue -Savours-Classification of-Influence of Habit-Acquired Tastes-Affected by the State of the Stomach-Morbid Conditions-Gustatory Organs in different Classes of Animals-The Condition of Matter necessary to excite Taste. THE senses of smell and taste may, to a certain extent, be considered in connexion. Their respective functions have a reference to digestion, and are in some measure subservient to it. They are more closely associated than any of the other senses, and under some circumstances their co-operation is essential to the due performance of their office. Thus, when the nostrils are obstructed, taste is considerably impaired, and pleasurable or disagreeable sensations produced by many substances depend on a combined result of the impressions on the organs of smell and taste. Neither of them are of much importance as intellectual organs in civilized life, therefore they are not much cultivated; indeed, much attention to their gratification is held as being in an especial manner sensual, and rather to be avoided than indulged in. This ought to refer, however, only to their abuse, and not to their proper and legitimate use. None of our faculties are to be despised or neglected because they may be wrongfully em ployed, or rendered subservient to the degradation of individuals. Smell is useful to the apothecary, the chemist, and the perfumer, and taste to the two former of these, as well as to the wine-taster, the grocer, the teataster, &c. SMELL. Of the fourteen bones which enter into the formation of the face, only three are excluded from forming a part of the cavities of the nostrils, namely, the two cheek bones and the lower jaw. Three of the eight bones of the cranium likewise constitute a part of the nose. Several of these are extremely light and spongy in their texture, and are curiously convoluted and laminated, so as to present a very extensive surface, especially in animals remarkable for the acuteness of their scent. In the seal, for example, the external surface of the nose has been estimated as equal to 240 cubic inches. The two bones of the upper jaw form a considerable portion of the nose; from each a process projects upwards, and ascends to join the frontal bone. Upon these processes rest two small bones, named nasal, which are united with each other, and form the bridge of the nose, the two upper jaw-bones serving as abutments to the arch. The internal bones are extremely delicate and spongy. Their laminated and convoluted structure has suggested the idea of a Turkish turban : hence they are termed turbinated bones. In connexion with the nostrils, especially in the adult, there are several cavities, as in the frontal and upper jaw-bones, that are called sinuses. These sinuses considerably extend the surface on which the lining membrane is expanded, and contribute to the perfection of the function, by affording capacious receptacles for air, loaded with odorous particles. The nose is divided by a central partition into the two symmetrical organs, the nostrils, in the same manner as are all the other organs in the body which are placed in what has been named the median plane, as the CHAPTER XI. SMELL AND TASTE. Intimate connexion between Smell and Taste-Not of much importance as Intellectual Channels. SMELL.-The Nostrils-Confidence reposed in Smell by several of the Lower Animals-Its excellence in the Dog-Smell in VulturesIn the Raven-In Fishes-Odours-Gratification derived from Odours influenced by Constitution, Habit, &c.-Classification of-Permanence, Extent, and Divisibility of-Morbid Conditions. TASTE.-Seat of-Papillæ of the Tongue -Savours-Classification of-Influence of Habit-Acquired Tastes-Affected by the State of the Stomach-Morbid Conditions-Gustatory Organs in different Classes of Animals-The Condition of Matter necessary to excite Taste. THE senses of smell and taste may, to a certain extent, be considered in connexion. Their respective functions have a reference to digestion, and are in some measure subservient to it. They are more closely associated than any of the other senses, and under some circumstances their co-operation is essential to the due performance of their office. Thus, when the nostrils are obstructed, taste is considerably impaired, and pleasurable or disagreeable sensations produced by many substances depend on a combined result of the impressions on the organs of smell and taste. Neither of them are of much importance as intellectual organs in civilized life, therefore they are not much cultivated; indeed, much attention to their gratification is held as being in an especial manner sensual, and rather to be avoided than indulged in. This ought to refer, however, only to their abuse, and not to their proper and legitimate use. None of our faculties are to be despised or neglected because they may be wrongfully em |