96 I'.AII.EV: SKNSE OF TASl'E AMONC, INDIANS. 



possible to recognize the substance that it contained. Then the 

 bottles containing these substances, and a few bottles containing water 

 of the same kind as that used in making the solutions, were placed, 

 without regard to order, and the experimenter was recpiested to 

 classify the different substances and to place in special groups all that 

 he could distinguish, while those that he did not recognize he was to 

 jjlace in the group called water. 



The substances quinin sulfate (i)itter), sulfuric acid (sour), sodium 

 bicarbonate (alkaline), cane sugar (sweet) and common salt (salt) 

 have been selected as representing classes of the common familiar 

 substances most likely to be recognized. Tlie only one of these that 

 experience has shown is not familiar is the alkaline taste. It is, of 

 course, necessary in selecting a substance for this test that it should 

 have no odor, as that would enable the experimenter to detect it by 

 the closely allieil sense of smell. It must also be devoid of color 

 when dissolved in water. 



It has been fiiund, in these jjreliminary experiments with the 

 Indians, that there is much more to conten<l with than with tlie whites. 

 This arises from the fact that the former are not well acquainted with 

 the language that we use in describing the different tastes, and often 

 they evidently cannot name a taste that is perfectly apparent to them. 

 They are honest and interested in the tests and seem anxious to make 

 as good a record as possible. In order to a\"oid the difticuUies men- 

 tioned as much as possible, cards were printed and given to the 

 experimenters and they were told to place them with each group as 

 selected. Thus, "These taste like quinin or bitter;" "These taste 

 sour like alum or vinegar," and so on. In addition to this, strong 

 solutions of each substance to be Jested were passed around so that 

 each might familiarize himself with the taste and its proper name 

 before making the test. 



On account of the slowness with which the work must be carried on 

 it has been possible only to make a few tests thus far. There were 

 thirty-one boys and thirty-six girls who made the tests. The results 

 obtained are expressed in parts of the substance detected, and the 

 average is taken in each case. Thus, "one part in 77,400," means 

 that the observer could detect one gram, for instance, if dissolved in 

 77,400 grams of water. 



SUBiTANCES. CeTECTEO BY MA.ES. DETECTED BY FEMA' ES »VERAOE. 



Bitter i part in 77,400 i part in 136,600 107,000 



Sweet I part in 102 i part in 137 120 



Acid I part in 1,920 r part in 2.200 2,060 



Alkali I part in 106 I'part in 100 103 



Salt I part in 320 i part in 281 300 



