THE NOSE AND MOUTH. 1 71 



strength, and it is formed of cartilage, in order that, by its gradually yielding! 

 resistance, it may neutralise almost any force that may be applied to it. 



When we open the nostril, we see the membrane by -which the cartilage, and 

 the whole of the cavity of the nose, is lined, and by the colour of which, much 

 more than by that of the lining of the eyelids, we judge of the degree of fever 

 and particularly of inflammation of the lungs, or any of the air-passages. The 

 cut on the opposite page shows the ramifications of the blood-vessels, both arterial 

 and venous, on the membrane of the nose. It beautifully accounts for the accurate 

 connexion which we trace between the colour of the nasal membrane, and various 

 diseases or states of the circulation. By the sore places or ulcerations discovered 

 on this membrane, we likewise determine respecting the existence of glanders ; 

 and the interposition of the septum is a wise and benevolent provision to hinder 

 the spread of the mischief, by cutting off all communication with the neighbour- 

 ing parts, and also to preserve one nostril pervious, when the other is diseased 

 or obstructed. The nasal cavity is, on either side, occupied by two bones, 

 which, from their being rolled up somewhat in the form of a turban, are called 

 the turbinated or turban-shaped bones, * *, p. 112 ; part of the cartilage is cut 

 away in our cut in order to display them. They are as thin as gauze, and 

 perforated, like gauze, with a thousand holes. Between them are left sufficient 

 passages for the air. 



If they were unrolled, they would present a very considerable surface ; and 

 on every part of them is spread the substance or pulp of the olfactory, or first 

 pair of nerves. These bones, lined with delicate membranes, and covered by 

 the olfactory nerves, are the seat of smell ; and they are thus expanded, because 

 the sense of smell in the horse must, to a very considerable degree, supply the 

 place of the sense of touch and the lessons of experience in the human being. 

 By this alone he is enabled to select, amongst the nutritive and poisonous 

 herbage of the meadow, that which would support and not destroy him. The 

 troops of wild horses are said to smell the approach of an enemy at a very con- 

 siderable distance. In his domestic state, the horse does not examine the dif- 

 ferent food which is placed before him with his eye, but with his nose ; and if 

 the smell displeases him, no coaxing will induce him to eat. He examines a 

 stranger by the smell, and, by very intelligible signs, expresses the opinion 

 which he forms of him by this inquisition. The horse will evidently recognise 

 his favourite groom when he has nothing else to indicate his approach but the 

 sense of smell. These cavities are likewise organs of voice. The sound rever- 

 berates through them, and increases in loudness, as through the windings of a 

 French horn. 



The extension of the nostril at the lower part of these cavities is an important 

 part of the face, and intimately connected with breeding, courage, and speed. 

 The horse can breathe only through the nose. All the air which goes to and 

 returns from the lungs must pass through the nostrils. In the common act of 

 breathing, these are sufficiently large ; but when the animal is put on his speed, 

 and the respiration is quickened, these passages must dilate, or he will be much 

 distressed. The expanded nostril is a striking feature in the blood-horse, espe- 

 cially when he has been excited and not over-blown. The sporting man will 

 not forget the sudden effect which is given to the countenance of the hunter, 

 when his ears become erect, and his nostrils dilate as he first listens to the cry 

 of the hounds, and snorts, and scents them afar off. The painful and spasmed 

 stretching of this part, in the poor over-driven post-horse, will show how 

 necessary it is that the passage to the lungs should be free and open. The 

 nostril should not only be large, but the membranous substance which covers the 

 entrance into the nose should be thin and elastic, that it may more readily 

 yield when the necessity of the animal requires a greater supply of air, and 

 afterwards return to its natural dimensions. Therefore, nature, which adapts 



