198 NATURE AND LIFE. 



it is of consequence at this point to distinguish between 

 the action of the odor which is in a manner purely dynamic^ 

 the intoxication from the essence, and the effect of carbonic 

 acid thrown Off by plants. These three influences have 

 often been confounded by authors who have recorded ac- 

 cidents occurring after the more or less prolonged inhala- 

 tion of odoriferous air. 



This variable action of odors on the nervous system, 

 sometimes wholesome, sometimes noxious, explains the 

 part they have always played in the various circumstances 

 of life among mankind. It would need a volume to relate 

 the religious, political, economic, and gallant history of 

 odors and perfumes. We must be content here with notic- 

 ing its chief lessons, as far as they are connected with the 

 physiological theory which is the basis of this study. For 

 there is unquestionably something instinctive at the bot- 

 tom of these general and uniform customs, which exhibit 

 the affinity of man for odors. Doubtless we must recognize 

 in this rather a refinement of sensuality than a natural crav- 

 ing ; but the same result has occurred in this case as in the 

 instance of beverages, of music, etc. Habit has become in 

 some sort a second nature ; the senses have acquired a 

 taste for that especial intoxication which beguiles them, 

 and disguises painful realities for them. 



It is in religion, in the first place, that we observe the 

 use of perfumes. Nothing holy or lofty was conceived of 

 in which their influence was not present. Perfumes won 

 the gods to give ear to the vows addressed to them in 

 temples, where burning incense diffused its fragrant clouds. 

 From the highest antiquity we find that the priests of dif- 

 ferent religions availed themselves of the use of odoriferous 

 substances. Five times a day the disciples of Zoroaster 

 laid perfumes upon the altar where the sacred flame glowed. 

 Moses, in Exodus, recorded the composition of two per- 

 fumes used in rituals. The Greeks assigned a leading place 



