546 SMELL. 



very small. The olfactory nerves, and the whole organs of smell, are small in 

 birds. The anterior openings are large and oblique for respiration during their 

 rapid movements, and the various forms and positions of these apertures present 

 useful characters for the distinction of species. The turbinated bones ere larger 

 than in reptiles, though still but partially ossified, and the olfactory nerves pass 

 through the orbits into the nose. The defective development of this organ is 

 compensated for in some by the extensive distribution of its fifth or trifacial 

 nerves, on the upper and lower jaws, and in most by the great development of 

 the organs of vision. All the internal parts of the organs of smell become more 

 complex and elaborate in quadrupeds, new cavities open into their interior, as 

 the frontal, maxillary, and frontal sinuses, and the exterior nares assume a more 

 lengthened and expanded form. Most of these animals we observe to have all 

 the nasal cancellated bones of great size and presenting an immense surface, 

 both on the ethmoid and turbinated bones, for the distribution of the olfactory 

 nerves, and we perceive in them a corresponding increase of power in their sense 

 of smell." (Dr. Grant's Lectures. Lancet, No. 569.) Gall refuted the asser- 

 tion of Cuvier and others, that carnivorous brutes have a more acute smell and 

 larger olfactory nerves than the herbivorous ; and thus replies to M. DumeriPs 

 opinion of odours not being transmissible by water, and of the organ of touch 

 occupying that of smell in the cetacea. " Nature then has made a mistake in 

 placing one of the special organs of animals that live in water, and amused her- 

 self with this prank when she formed otters, seals, and all fish, and henceforth 

 all attempts to catch fish and crabs with odorous bait will be fruitless." 1. c. 4to, 

 vol. i. p. 158. sq. 



