odours when communicated through a rarified at- 
mosphere. In man the sense of smell is less im- 
portant than the sense of taste ; but the contrary is 
the case with many of the lower animals, particu- 
larly those of a predacious character. 
“It is exceedingly difficult, says Dr. Roget, to 
conceive how matter so extremely rare and subtle as 
that which composes these odorous effluvia can re- 
tain the power of producing any sensible impres- 
sion on the animal organs : for its tenuity is so ex- 
traordinary as to exceed all human comprehension. 
The most copious exhalations from a variety of 
odoriferous substances, such as musk, valerian, or 
assafcetida will be continually emanating for years, 
without any perceptible loss of weight in the body 
which supplies them. It is well known that if a 
small quantity of musk be enclosed for a few hours 
in a gold box, and then taken out, and the box 
cleaned as carefully as possible with soap and wa- 
ter, that box will retain the odour of musk for many 
years ; and yet the nicest balance will not show the 
smallest increase of its weight from this impregna- 
tion. No facts in natural philosophy afford more 
striking illustrations of the astonishing, and indeed 
inconceivable divisibility of matter, then those re- 
lating to odorous effluvia.” 
Our present subject the Narcissus bulbocodium, 
does not stand peculiarly prominent in regard to its 
odour, either pleasant or offensive; it is chiefly re- 
markable for its nectary being so extended as to 
resemble, at first sight, a corolla. Planted in the 
borders, in any light common garden soil, it will 
blossom luxuriantly, but does not increase rapidly. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 218. 
