THE TONGUE OR ORGAN OP TASTE. 377 



The external ear, composed of the auricle and rneatus, 

 is supplied by the anterior auricular, branches of the tem- 

 poral, and the posterior auricular, and occipital from the 

 external carotid. 



The middle ear is supplied from the tympanic branch of 

 the internal maxillary, which enters at the fissure of Glas- 

 serus, and with a branch from the stylo-mas toid, forms a 

 " coronet" round the membrana tympani, from which 

 radiate numerous branches upon its surface. The internal 

 carotid, as it passes through the canal, also sends a branch 

 to the tympanum. 



General Remarks. In looking at the different parts com- 

 posing the ear collectively, and their several relationships 

 with one another, it seems manifest that the external ear, 

 like a trumpet, is designed to collect and concentrate the 

 sounds which fall upon it, that the meatus externus conducts 

 and reflects from every part of its surface the sonorous 

 undulations to the membrana tympani, that this membrane 

 is then thrown into vibrations, and forming the outer wall 

 of the middle ear, transmits its vibrations to the little chain 

 of bones within the tympanum, with which it is connected, 

 that these in their turn, being attached to the membrane of 

 the vestibule by means of the stapes, throw it also into 

 similar vibrations, which are now communicated to the 

 fluid and nerves of the labyrinth, whence the impressions 

 are finally conveyed to the sensor ium. The air in the tym- 

 panum, by means of the Eustachian tube, it should have 

 been stated, is a very essential aid in favoring the vibra- 

 tions, and in conducting them in their progress to the 

 auditory nerve. 



SECTION III. 



THE TONGUE OR ORGAN OF TASTE. 



Taste is the faculty which the tongue possesses, in the 

 discrimination of sapid bodies. This power also resides in 

 the palate and lining membrane of the mouth, though not 

 to the same extent as in the tongue. 



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