1S2 THE PHILOSOPHY 



bodies applied to the Ikin, and particularly to the tips of 

 the fingers. 



With regard to fenfation in general, it is worthy of re- 

 mark, that the eyes, the ears, the noftrils, the tongue and 

 palate, the palms of the hands, efpecially towards the points 

 of the fingers, are more amply fupplied with nerves than any 

 other external parts of the body. The terminations of the 

 nerves On the furface of the fkin are foft and pulpy, and 

 form minute protuberances refembling the nap of freeze- 

 cloth, though greatly inferior in magnitude. Thefe protur- 

 berances have received the denomination of nervous papiliae. 

 They might be called animal feelers \ for they are obvioufly 

 the immediate inflruments of fenfation. If an objedt be pre- 

 fented to the eye, or any other organ of fenfation, certain 

 feelings are excited, which are either agreeable or difagreea- 

 ble, according to the real or imaginary qualities which we 

 confider as belonging to that objedt. The feelings thus ex- 

 cited inftantly produce a change in the feniitive organs by 

 which they are occalioned. If the ob}e(5l be polTefied of dif- 

 agreeable qualities, averfion is the neceiTary confequence. 

 But, if beauty and utiHty are perceived in the objedt, pleaf- 

 ant emotions fpring up in the mind, which naturally induce 

 a fimilar tone or difpofltlon in the organs fuited for the en- 

 joyment of thefe qualities. 



When examining or enjoying any obje6l, it is natural to 

 inquire, what are the changes produced in the nervous papil- 

 lae, or organs of fenfation 1 If an object poiTelled of agreea- 

 ble feelings is perceived, the nervous papilla^ inflantly extend 

 themfelves, and, from a ftate of flaccidity, become compara- 

 tively rigid like brifties. This extenfion of the papillae is 

 not conjectural : It is founded on anatomical obfervation, 

 and, in fome cafes, may be feen and felt by perfons of acute 

 and dilcerning fenfations. When a man in the dark inclines 

 to examine any fubftance, in order to difcover its figure, or 



