376 Dejcri'ption of the Ear. [Book IX. 



within this, the antibelix. The moveable cartilage, 

 placed immediately before the opening of the ear, is 

 named the fragus, and an eminence oppofite to this ? 

 at the extremity of the antibelix, is called the anfitra- 

 gus. The concha, becoming narrower, terminates in 

 the meatus auditonus externus y the external auditory 

 canal. Into this are continued the cuds and epidermis, 

 which, as they enter it, become much thinner and 

 more fenfibie, and are furnifhed with minute hairs, by 

 - which warning is given when any infect has found 

 admittance, or when any injurious fubftance requires 

 to be removed. This paffage, and the membrana 

 tymparii, by which it is terminated, are moiftened by 

 a vifcid fecretion called the wax, which by ftagnation 

 becomes hard, and, when neglected, fometimes accu- 

 mulates to fuch a degree as to occafion deafnefs. 

 If we were to examine all nature for a contrivance 

 proper for augmenting and echoing founds with the 

 utmoft force and the greateft exactnefs, we Ihould 

 find the ear bed formed for thefe purpofes ; by its ad- 

 mirable ftructure it receives founds of all kinds, admits 

 the greateft quantity in the fmalleft fpace, and echoes 

 each back without confufion. 



The external ear in different quadrupeds is differently 

 framed, but always adapted to the creature's manner 

 of life. In fhape it commonly refembles the oblique 

 fection of a cone from near the apex to the bafis. 

 Kares, and fuch other animals as are daily expofed to 

 injuries from beafts of prey, have large ears directed 

 backwards, their eye warning them of any danger 

 before j rapacious animals, on the other hand, have 

 their ears placed directly forwards, as we fee in the 

 lion, cat, &c. The flow hounds, and other animals 

 that are defigned to hear moft diftinctly the feunds 

 coming from below, have their ears hanging down- 

 wards^ 



