THE SENSE OF TASTE. 



741 



evaporation of the volatile fluids. In one glass bulb is placed chloro- 

 form as a sweet substance to be tasted; in the other glass bulb, 

 ether, to represent a bitter-tasting substance. To the exit tubes of 

 each glass bulb are attached, by rubber tubes, two tubes of glass 

 drawn to a fine point. A spring clip is placed on each rubber con- 

 necting-tube. When the apparatus is to be used, the Richardson 

 rubber bulb is compressed and air is driven through one or the other 

 glass bulb. By this means we can, at our pleasure, test for bitter 

 or sweet substances. Even acetic acid can be placed in one of the 

 bulbs, to test the taste for acids. 



The pointed glass tubes must be brought near the point on the 

 tongue to be tested, but they must not touch it. 



Sternberg has also constructed a quantitative gustometer, on the 

 same principle as the olfactometer of Zwaardemaker. 



