SMELL. 293 



of strong aversion. Mr. Kirby has discovered in the ante- 

 rior part of the nose of the Necrophorus vespillo, or bu- 

 rying beetle, which is an insect remarkable for the acute- 

 ness of its smell, a pair of circular pulpy cushions, covered 

 with a membrane, beautifully marked with fine transverse 

 furrows. These he considers as the organs of smell; and he 

 has found similar structures in several other insects.* 



No distinct organs of smell have been discovered in any 

 of the Mollusca; but as there is evidence that some of the 

 animals belonging to that class possess this sense, it has 

 been conjectured that it resides either in the whole mucous 

 surface of the mantle, or in the respiratory organs. Swam- 

 merdam observed, long ago, that snails are evidently af- 

 fected by odours; and cuttle-fish are said to show a decided 

 aversion to strongly scented plants. 



* Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology, vol. iii. 481; and iv. 

 254. 



