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with the Methods employed in preventing it. 
with respect to simplicity of design, and accuracy of adaptation 
to the end in view, testifies the great ingenuity and acuteness of 
these savages in alleviating the inconveniences of their mode of 
life. . 
A few words will suffice to illustrate the figures by which this 
machine is represented. It is made of a very smooth wooden 
substance, like poplar, of that remarkable, and, in as far as 
regards its origin, as yet enigmatical, kind, which is driven 
upon the northern shores of the globe. The posterior sur- 
face, which covers the nose, is pretty deeply cut, to pre- 
vent it obstructing the free motion of the eye. There is a 
notch cut on each side, at the lower margin, which is applied to 
the cheeks, and which is scarcely subservient to any other 
purpose than to afford a passage to the tears, which are rapidly 
secreted in an inflamed eye. The upper margin of the fore 
side, is more prominent than the under, so as to protect the 
eye from the snow, or act as a shade in keeping off the sun’s 
rays. The other side is blackened with soot, so as to ab- 
sorb a part of the dazzling light. Lastly, the apertures made 
for vision are in the form of narrow slits, and so placed as 
to correspond with the eye, having the lids nearly closed. I 
have of late, unfortunately, had occasion to try this machine, 
being troubled with a severe and obstinate tonic blepharospas- 
mus, which has continued for several months ; and when it was 
necessary for me to look minutely at anatomical preparations, 
or other natural objects, in a clear light, I have found nothing 
of equal assistance, or so convenient, as these Esquimaux spec- 
tacles of which we speak. Moreover, what all have testified, 
who, seeing this machine in my museum, have made trial of it, 
— it answers the purpose of a telescope ; and Ellis says, that 
the savages just mentioned, although they are less dazzled by 
the brightness of the snow, apply it to their eyes only with the 
view of observing remote objects more distinctly *. 
2. Remarkable Irritability of the Tongue. 
We shall begin with Ovid’s description of the very lively ir- 
ritability in a tongue that had been newly cut out, when he re- 
Page 143. Gottingen edition. 
