ORGAN OF SMELL. 69^ 



existence of spiracles, not observed by Swammerdam, 

 is indicated. As other experiments showed that one 

 orifice remaining- free is sufficient for carrying- on 

 respiration, some internal communication must sub- 

 sist between the spiracles *." It would appear, in- 

 deed, that the orifice mentioned at the origin of the 

 tongue is in or near the spot indicated by his preced- 

 ing experiments as the organ of smell ; and even 

 should we say this organ is in the pair of spiracles 

 on the second ring, we have an analogy to support 

 it in the gills of fish, which are situated behind and 

 not before the mouth. 



The connexion of smell and taste is much closer 

 in man than most persons are aware of; and this, 

 taken in conjunction with the experiments of Hu- 

 ber, gives additional weight from analogy to the 

 opinion that the organ in insects is near the mouth. 

 The connection in question seems to have been first 

 observed by Willis, who found that if a sapid sub- 

 stance is put into the mouth when the nostrils are 

 closed, the sensation of taste is suspended f. Ac- 

 cording to some recent experiments by Dr. Rousseau, 

 of the United States, the operation of poisonous and 

 inebriating effluvia is prevented by the same means. 

 One man, after his nostrils were stuffed, was made 

 to breathe the vapour of boiling brandy for an hour 

 without producing any effect, except a little smarting 

 of the throat. Next day he breathed the vapour with 

 his nostrils open, and in less than half an hour was 

 thereby rendered so intoxicated that he coidd not stand. 

 A delicate lady, who could not bear the smell of to- 

 bacco without being sick, volunteered to try a similar 

 experiment upon herself. Some tobacco accordingly 

 was kept boiling in a saucepan, and she breathed the 

 vapour for half an hour, keeping all the while her 

 nostrils closely pressed, and she experienced no in- 

 * Ruber on Bees, p. 293. f De Anima Brutorum. 



