CONCERNING ODOURS, 53-55 



be sweetest when the scent comes from the wrist l ; 

 so that perfumers 2 apply the scent to this part. 

 The explanation must be sought by observing what 

 happens in the contrary case, inasmuch as heat 

 changes or destroys the character of a scent,, and the 

 effect on the sense of smell is immediately perceived 

 when perfumes are brought into close contact with 

 the skin. 



The question is also raised why those who do not 

 habitually use perfumes smell of them more strongly, 

 when they do so, than those who use them habitually. 

 The suggestion might be made that this is an illusion 

 due to the fact that the use is not habitual, and 

 does not represent what really happens. If however 

 it does, it would appear that in the one case the 

 perfume becomes, as it were, confused with a number 

 of other scents which weaken its force (the smell of 

 the skin also becoming mixed with it), while in the 

 other case the porous condition of the skin takes in 

 the scent as it were uncontaminated, and so makes 

 it perceptible by the sense of smell, because it 

 lingers for some time. One might also make a 

 suggestion of opposite character, that the skin takes 

 in perfumes less readily because it is not used to 

 them, and so, as the perfumes mingle with it more 

 slowly, they preserve 3 their scent for a longer time. 

 One may add that this is a small point and that all 

 do not agree as to the fact. 



Those perfumes whose scent is strongest get the 

 best hold on the skin head and other parts of the 

 body, and last for the longest time : such are 



phrase presumably means the back of the hand, and suggests 

 that atrb rov ttapTrov may be corrupt. 



2 Sc. in offering samples for choice. 



8 Sc. it is not absorbed by the skin. 



375 



