126 



PHYSIOLOGY AND TEMPERANCE. 



CHAPTEE IX. 



THE SPECIAL SENSES. 



1. The Five Special Senses. In addition to the com- 

 mon supply of nerves of ordinary sensation stationed every- 

 where, like sentinels, to guard the body and keep us informed 

 of the condition of all its members and organs, there are 

 special nerves for acquainting us with what exists outside of 

 ourselves. These nerves go to supply certain organs which 

 are specially adapted to receive impressions from the outer 

 world. There are five special senses taste, smell, sight, 



hearin S and touch. 



EPIGLOTTIS 



2. The Sense of Taste. 



The tongue is the organ of the 

 special sense of taste. If we 

 examine the tongue carefully, 

 we can see on its surface a num- 

 ber of small projections. These 

 vary in size. At the back they 

 are quite large. On the sides 

 and at the tip they appear as 

 small red points, while on the 

 surface generally they are very 

 minute and thickly set. These 

 little papillae are the taste points, 

 and into them can be traced the 



f the nerV6 f 



FIG. 37. Upper surface of the Tongue, 



showing the papillae. taste. In the act of tasting. 



