The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-09-12

CHEMICAL THEORY OF TASTE.

CHEMICAL THEORY OF TASTE.
Ithas been proposed. by some one, Il have
forgotten whonal to consider the cause Of taste
as dependent upon the shape Of the ultimate
particles or chrystalline forms of bodies. In
pursuing this theory. it is asserted that bodies
Chrystallizcd in cubes or spheres roll more ca
silly oyerthe tongue, aud thesefore excite pleas
ant sensations, and, that bodies, whose chrys-
tails are long, prismatic, or needle shaped,
pierce the organs of taste, and excite sensa-
tons of pain or pungency of taste. The sense
of taste operates by contact, in the same man
ner as the other senses; it seems reasonable
tleh that the operation should be analogous.
In touch, the forms Of bodies occasion diff
ference in the sensation; the same can be said
of the image Of objects operating on the re-
tira. In the ear, contact Of air is necessary,
though the rapidly of the vibrations on the
auditory nerve decides the difference in the
sensations. Hence, then, by analogy, wecon-
clude that difference in tastes depends upon
difference in the forms of the particles and
the rapidity Of their motion. But the forms
Of particles are the ultimate forms of their
Congratulations. These forms are cabes,
spheres, prisms of various kinds, &c. Let us
observe the effects Of each Of these forms when
in contact with the nerves. Spheres would
move over the papille of the tongue, 1.-THE ex-.
trcmities Of the nerves,} smoothly and easily,
their motion on the nerve wonld not be violent
or acute, Of course no sensation would be pro-
duced; the morenearly any chrystal approach
ed to the spherical form, the more similar
would its effect be on the tongue. Prisms, on
the contrary, would imPinge with violence,
on the tongue, from the relative Dimensions
Of length to breadth and when it is consid.
cred, that the particles, in either case, are OK
tremely minute, the effects, above mentions
ed, would more easily take place. Prisms
are of various dimensions and proportions,
hence the various effects, and, Of consequence,
the various tastes they produce. Many chrys-
tails are acicular or needle shaped, the prism
being gradually lessened towards the extreni-
ty; these would more readily penetrate the
tongue and produce sensation Of sharpness
1of taste.
Let these principles be applied to individu
al examples; water, and other similar fluids,
are composed Of globular particles, because
such particles are best adapted to motion.
The particles of water have pleasant mega
tive taste, because they slide easily over the
tongue, and leave but little impression on the
organ. Sugar and common salt chrystalize
in cubes; these, being angular, give more
definite taste than water, but still being so near
a sphere, have pleasant effect on the tongue.
Bitter things, on the contrary, and things pun
gent in their nature, chrystaze in elongated
prisms or needle shaped chrystals and there
fore irnpinge more powerfully on the nerves
Of the tongue: acids. likewise, are generally
acicular in their capitalization and of course
produce the effect above mentioned. .4
Hence, then, il the theory be true, table
can be formed Of the probable taste of bodies
from their chrystalline forms, and perhaps
their forms will DO indicated to certain ex-
tent by their taste.
THE THEORIsT.
0j@NOTICE.-At meeting of the Corpo-
ration Of the Village of Litchfcld, Sept. S,
1896
Voted, 4, nat the Bailiffhe directed to cause
the Bye-Laws Of this Village which relate to
Restraining cattle, swine, geese, &e: from 60
ing at large, be published in the Litchfeld
County Post. s
lifts be, and they hereby are, directed to en-
force the said bye-laws, after the 18th dav of
September instant.
A true copy of record, -
attest, j. ADAMS, Clerk.
Passed Sept. $, 1898. fa
BYE-LAWS. -
Resolved, That no Horse kind, Male, Sheep,
!Swine, or Goose, shall be permitted to run at