CONCERNING ODOURS, 4-5 



cases it is not obvious to us because, one might 

 almost say, our sense of smell is inferior to that ot 

 all other animals. Thus things which appear to us 

 to have no odour give forth an odour of which other 

 animals are conscious : for instance beasts of burden 

 can smell the barley of Kedropolis, 1 and refuse to eat 

 it because of its evil odour. Also we are unaware of 

 the odour of animals which appear to possess one. 

 Now no animal appears to take pleasure in a good 

 odour for its own sake, so to speak, but only in the 

 odour of things which conduce to its nurture and 

 enjoyment. Indeed some animals seem to be annoyed 

 by odours, even good 2 ones, if what is said ot 

 vultures and beetles be true ; the explanation is that 

 their natural character is antipathetic to odours. 

 To appreciate this in particular cases one should 

 take into consideration the temperament of the 

 animal in question and also its power of smell. 



Of smell and taste. 



Now the odour of some things which have a good 

 odour resides in things which are used for food, for 

 instance that of stone-fruits 3 pears and apples, the 

 smell of which is sweet even if one does not eat 

 them ; indeed it may be said to be sweeter in that 

 case. However, to make a general distinction, some 

 odours exist independently, while others are inci- 

 dental ; 4 those of juices and things used for food 

 are incidental, those of flowers exist independently. 

 And, as was said above, 5 things which have a good 

 odour are generally of unpleasant, astringent or 



3 aKpoSpvuv here apparently plurns, peaches, etc. 



4 i.e. the smell is a kind of 'accident,' or by-product of 

 the taste. 6 1. 3. 



33* 



