46 



The strength of the impression is likewise increased, 

 by the elasticity of the sides of the bony canal ; which 

 receiving the first impulses of the air. reverberate them 

 on the auditory neve. 



The auditory nerves are distributed, one to the ear, 

 the other to the eye, tongue, and parts adjoining. By 

 the distribution thereof to different parts, an admira- 

 ble consent is established between them. Hence it is, 

 that most animals hearing a strange sound, erect their 

 ears to catch it, open their eyes, and are ready with 

 their mouth to shriek or call for help. A farther use 

 of this nervous communication between the ear and 

 the mouth is, that the voice may corespond with the 

 hearing, and be a kind of echo thereof : and that 

 what is heard with one of these nerves, may readily 

 be expressed by the help of the other. 



And now what less than an infinitely wise God, 

 could contrive so fine an organ, and such a medium, 

 so susceptible of every impression, that the sense of 

 hearing hath occasion for, to empower all animals to 

 express their meaning to each other, with endless va- 

 riety ? Yea, w T hat less could form such an oeconomy 

 as that of music is ? So that the medium conveys the 

 melodious vibration of every animal voice or well, 

 tuned instrument, and the ear receives them, to 

 allay the perturbations, and calm and cheer the heart 

 of man! 



Though the ear be the ordinary organ of hearing, 

 yet it is not the only one. We may hear by the 

 teeth. For if one end of a knife be applied to a spin, 

 net, and the other held between the teeth, the music 

 will be distinctly heard, though the ears be ever so 

 closely stopped. Yet this is not properly by the 

 teeth, but by the auditory nerve which passes from the 

 drum to the palate. 



In those who are born deaf, .the eyes may in some 

 measure serve in the place of cars. Some can under- 

 stand what is said by nicely observing the lips and 

 tongue of the speaker : and may even accustom 

 themselves to use their own, till they learn a kind of 



