200 SENSORIAL FUNCTIONS. 



ORGANS OF TASTE. 



622. It is well known that the tongue is the principal 

 organ of taste ; though the lips, the palate, the internal 

 surfaces of the cheeks, and the upper part of the esopha- 

 gus, all participate in this favorite sense. 



623. The organs of this sense are much the most abun- 

 dant on the tongue, where they may be seen, especially 

 toward the end, in the form of papillce or minute elevated 

 protuberances. 



624. If these be touched with a fluid that is strong to 

 the taste, such as vinegar, they will be seen to rise by the 

 stimulus, an effect which probably accompanies the sensa- 

 tion of taste at all times. 



625. The lingual nerve, or nerve of the tongue, is that 

 which is chiefly concerned in conveying the sense of taste 

 to the brain. But Magendie says, that after the most care- 

 ful examination of this part by dissection, assisted by the 

 most delicate instruments, he was unable to trace these 

 nerves to the papillae. Still the sense of taste must be at- 

 tributed to the filaments of this nerve. 



626. The primary use of taste is to guide animals in 

 the selection of their food, and warn them against the in- 

 troduction of noxious articles into the stomach. 



627. In all the inferior animals, this sense, together 

 with that of smell, is generally a sufficient guard against 

 the use of noxious food. In these, therefore, the original 

 design of taste is still answered. But in man, this sense 

 has been so abused and perverted, by the introduction of 

 stimulants, and the endless admixture of different articles 

 of food, that the simple action of this part seems to have 

 been superseded almost entirely by acquired taste. 

 Hence man in his present state of civilization and luxuri- 

 ousness, has no sense by which he can determine, with 

 any degree of certainty, what is wholesome and what 

 is poisonous. In the savage state, the sense of taste and 



What parts of insects constitute the organ of smell? Where is the or- 

 gan of taste situated ? What is the primary use of taste ? In what ani- 

 mals is this design still answered ? What is said of the power of man to 

 detect poisonous articles by the taste ? 



