OF SMELL. 177 



viz. ' consciousness,' and the ' thing.' But, in fact, it is only one thing, for 

 consciousness is the whole. But from the manner in which we form 

 consciousness, it is always referred to that manner; for, being in a state 

 of consciousness is seldom or ever simple consciousness, but is com- 

 pounded of a number. And, as consciousness arises originally from 

 impressions, it must always suppose, or have, the impression at the 

 time. The memory of hearing is always a compound of hearing and 

 seeing ; our remembrance of some sounds is owing to having fixed ideas 

 annexed to them. The remembrance of sounds that we have fixed no 

 ideas to is owing to our being capable of imitating them. If we had 

 not this power we never could remember a tune, for instance. Sounds 

 have two powers [sources ?] ; the first is natural, as melody, sounds of 

 fear, of anger, «fcc. ; the other is from art, or is descriptive, by which 

 we form ideas and make impressions on our passions : the first is of 

 the head, the other is of the soul. 



Animals have not those fixed ideas that we have ; and the reason is, 

 perhaps, that the sensation does not make the same impression upon the 

 mind; for the impression on the mind is not in proportion to the 

 sensation. 



Seeing makes a strong sensation upon our minds, but not on the 

 mind of a dog ; for a dog will hardly know one he is not allowed to 

 smell at. 



The sense of hearing and seeing both require an action of the organ 

 for distinct sensation. How far all the other senses are obliged to 

 adopt themselves to the impression I do not know ; but probably tiring 

 or being accustomed to impression, so as to be insensible to it, may in 

 some degree arise from the loss of action of the parts not adapting 

 themselves to the impression. 



Elasticity in bodies is the cause of sound, but they must be quick or 

 short vibrations. Those bodies that give short vibrations, are hard and 

 brittle, that is, they yield but little before they break, because their 

 power of yielding is but short. 



Of the Organ of Smell. 



The sense of smell has an organ for receiving the impression called 

 the nose. I suspect it is not so universal as what taste is ; at least no 

 organ that can give the idea is found in many of the more imperfect 

 animals, and even in one tribe of the more perfect. 



The organ of smell is a simple organ, being principally fitted for this 

 sensation, and therefore presenting less variety than the organ of taste. 

 However, the organ may be said to answer other purposes, as it gives 

 passage to the air for respiration; so that the two purposes are answered 



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