TASTE 113 



In monkeys, tasting can frequently be seen when some 

 unfamiliar piece of food is offered. The monkey will first 

 sniff at the food, holding it close to its nose ; and it will then, 

 very cautiously, lick it with its tongue. If the food is not 

 attractive, it will be thrown away in seeming disgust. I think 

 that this behaviour is interesting because though monkeys 

 — and especially apes — are at the top in the animal scale, 

 there would appear to be signs that scent only is not relied 

 upon. 



Notwithstanding the overlapping of the chemical senses of 

 smell and taste, these few examples of what can be observed 

 in respect of taste may, perhaps, stimulate some student to 

 think up and carry out further tests. I do not think that any 

 practical purpose would be served by writing an additional 

 chapter on field observations and experiments as I have done 

 in dealing with the other senses. The examples given here 

 should be sufficient to show how taste is used by different 

 groups of animals. 



