296 VITAL APPARATUS OF SMELL. 



increase the extent of this membrane as much as 

 possible, it is thrown into a multitude of minute 

 plaits which radiate from a central point and have 

 a very elegant appearance. From the back of the 

 olfactory chambers there proceed, as we have 

 already stated, two nervous cords, which conduct 

 the impressions received by the mucous membrane 

 to the brain. 



The vital apparatus of smell, like that of sight, 

 consists of two round masses or lobes of nervous 

 substance, which occupy the front of the brain, 

 and preside over the manifestation of the faculty. 

 They are inferior in size to the optic lobes, though 

 often as large as the hemispheres of the brain. We 

 are thus supplied with conclusive evidence of the 

 possession by fishes of a power of smell. The 

 mechanical and the vital portions of the apparatus, 

 with the conducting nerve from the former to 

 the latter, are complete ; the only question which 

 requires solution is the degree of the sentient 

 power. The vital apparatus being large would be 

 an argument in favour of a vividness of perception, 

 but the small mechanical portion, and especially 

 the absence of a stream of water through the ol- 

 factory chambers, leave the organ imperfect. On 

 these grounds, we should be inclined to give 

 the faculty of smell a position next in order to 

 that of hearing, and greatly inferior to sight. 



Taste is at all times, and in all animals, a modi 



