Scent. 



6133 



an able anatomical writer expressing himself as follows : " The 

 matters of odour must in all cases be dissolved (or suspended) in the 

 mucus of the mucous membrane before they can be immediately 

 applied to or affect the olfactory nerves. Therefore, a condition 

 necessary for the perception of odours, is that the mucous membrane 

 of the nasal cavity be 7noi.st. When the Schneideiian membrane is 

 dry the sense of smell is lost. In the first stage of catarrh, when the 

 secretion of mucus within the nostrils is lessened, the faculty of per- 

 ceiving odours is either lost or made very imperfect." And it is not 

 the least improbable, but rather the contrary, that that state of 

 atmosphere which renders the material objects that are the ordinary 

 recipients of scent less fitted than usual for receiving or retaining it, 

 may simultaneously affect the usual power of the olfactory organs for 

 its recognition. 



I am led, however, to think there may be reason for the expression 

 strong scent," though less perhaps than they who use it suppose, 

 except in such cases as those above adverted to of animals hard 

 pressed in the chase ; at least, if somewhat modified in meaning. 

 The power or pungency of the emanation probably varies with the 

 physical condition of the creature emitting it, and certainly with the 

 emotional condition. ''The secreting action of the skin is influenced 

 by general conditions of the vascular and nervous systems, which are, 

 as yet, ill- understood. It is quite certain, however, that through the 

 influence of the latter, the secretion may be excited or suspended; 

 this is seen on the one hand in the state of syncope, and in the 

 effects of depressing emotions, especially fear, and its more aggra- 

 vated condition, terror." (Hum. Phys. 632). And again : " The 

 odoriferous secretion of the skin, which is much more powerful in 

 some individuals than in others, is increased under the influence of 

 certain mental emotions (as fear or bashfulness), and commonly also 

 by sexual desires." {Id. 979). 



Any tolerably observant person who exerts himself sufficiently, from 

 time to time, to become a good deal heated, must be well aware that 

 he is much more highly scented by nature at one period than 

 at another ; as also, that it is the same with the horse he drives and 

 the dog he trains to be his daily companion or his ally and assistant 

 in his business or sport. 



But generally speaking, and omitting instances in which such 

 influences as terror or sexual desire are known to be in operation 

 it would seem to be most probable that the greater apparent 

 variations in the strongness of scent depend not so much upon 



