THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 47 



The only instance that history (possibly ro- 

 mance) records, so for as is known to the writer, 

 in which these disagreeable effects of the ordi- 

 nary atmosphere were markedly produced, wa3 

 in the case of the unhappy Caspar Hauser, who 

 was confined in a subterranean dungeon at Nu- 

 remberg from infancy to adult age. When he 

 was finally brought upon the surface of the 

 earth, his life was rendered miserable by the 

 insufferable odors that constantly impressed his 

 olfactory nerves. The smell of flowers, that to 

 others were sweet, was so intensified in his case 

 as to be exceedingly disagreeable. He was 

 unable to pass a grave-yard, where others could 

 detect no odor whatever, without fainting from 

 the painful impression received through the 

 sense of smell. This shows that, to appreciate 

 " country air," our senses must be adapted to it 

 by constant contact. 



