8EN8E GF SMELL IN FISHES. . 345 



determine, whether the sensation be imparted through the 

 medium of the lingual branch of the fifth pair, that 

 of the glossopharyngean, or that of the great hypoglossal 

 nerve. 



It is true the majority agree in considering, the lingual The general 

 «,.«. ... jl 1 opinion in fa- 



branch of the inferior maxillary nerve as the only one capa- vourof a branch 



ble of transmitting the sensation of taste ; and most of them ad- of the lower 

 duce in support of theiropinionthe observation of Colombo, j^ej.^.g^ 

 ■who did not find this branch in a man destitute of the sense 

 of taste. Soemmering, however, questions the circumstances 

 of this fact, as well as of a similar one cited by Rolfink. 



On the other hand some physiologists, at the head of Others for the 

 whom is the great Boerhaave, have ascribed the g"siatory ^^^^^^^^^gP^^ "^ 

 faculty to the great hypoglossal nerve. These too rest 

 their opinion on some anatomical observations, particularly 

 on a case in pathology quoted by Hevermann, where the 

 sense of taste was destroyed on the extirpation of a gland, 

 with which the nerves, called at that time the great gusta* 

 tory, or ninth pair, were removed. 



The particular subject of physiology and comparative 

 anatomy before us, therefore, may throw some light on a 

 question not yet completely resolved. 



Though the sense of taste is essentially necessary to ani- xhe sense of 



mals, and must be the last obliterated, since on its decisions t^^te necessary 



, , . ,. 1 . ... .1 • ,. , to animals: 



depend their preservation, by instructing them m the nature 



pf the substances proper for their food, and the selection of 



them; at first sight, however, it would appear, that fish but fishes appa- 



are destitute of it, if we seek for this organ in the parts Qf"|.^ 



where it is commonly seated. 



In fact the inside of the mouth in fishes is lined with a as it cannot re- 

 thick, smooth, and polished membrane ; of a very close ^^^uth 

 texture, resembling that of the skin ; and most commonly 

 of the same colour with it. Sometimes this membrane is 

 completely detached from the bones of the palate, or re- 

 tained merely by a few vessels ; as I have observed in the 

 cod, frogfish, bullhead, ray, and shark: and I have never 

 fceen in it papillas, or salivary glands. 



The tongue of fishes is seldom movable. A bone sup- or tongue, 

 ports it throughout its whole length. Its point can neither 

 turn backward^ nor toward the sides. In general the lips, 



palate. 



