204 SENSORIAL FUNCTIONS. 



ORGANS OF TASTE. 



It is well known that the tongue is the principal organ 

 of taste ; though the lips, the palate, the internal surfa- 

 ces of the cheeks, and the upper part of the esophagus, 

 all participate in this favorite sense. 



The organs of this sense are much the most abundant 

 on the tongue, where they may be seen, especially 

 towards the end, in the form of papilla, or minute ele- 

 vated protuberances. 



If these be touched with a fluid, that is strong to the 

 taste, such as vinegar, they will be seen to rise by the 

 stimulus, an effect which probably accompanies the sen- 

 sation of taste at all times. 



The lingual nerve, or nerve of the tongue, is that 

 which is chiefly concerned in conveying the sense of 

 taste to the brain. But Magendie says, that after the 

 most careful examination of this part by dissection, 

 assisted by the most delicate instruments, he was unable 

 to trace these nerves to the papillae. Still the sense of 

 taste must be attributed to the filaments of this nerve. 



The primary use of taste is to guide animals in the 

 selection of their food, and warn them against the intro- 

 duction of noxious articles into the stomach. 



In all the inferior animals, this sense, together with 

 that of smell, is generally a sufficient guard against the 

 use of noxious food. In these, therefore, the original 

 design of taste is still answered. But in man, this sense 

 has been so abused and perverted, by the introduction of 

 stimulants, and the endless admixture of different arti- 

 cles of food, that the simple action of this part, seems to 

 have been superseded almost entirely by acquired taste. 

 Hence man, in his present state of civilization, and luxu- 

 riousness, has no sense by which he can determine with 

 any degree of certainty, what is wholesome and what is 

 poisonous. In the savage state, the sense of taste and 



What part of insects constitutes the organ of smell 7 Where is the 

 organ of taste situated 1 What is the primary use of taste ? In what 

 animals is this design still answered 7 What is said of the power of 

 man to detect poisonous articles by the taste ? 



