The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-16

is the pituitary membrane lining the in
ner wall OF the nostrils. 1t is a mucous
surface, laid in irregular wrinkles, and
receiving the spreading, slender, termi-
nal flaments OF certain number OF
nerves. This membrane, like all other
mucous ones, constantly secretes fluid
designed to lubricate it. BY the aid of
the muscles covering the lower part OF
the nostrils, the apparatus Of smelling
can be dilated or contracted, precisely
like that OF sight. This understood, the
mechanism of olfaction is quite simple.
1t consists in the contact OF odorous par
tic!es with the olfactory nerve. These
particles are conveyed by the air to the
inside OF the nasal cavities, and there
strike upon tue sensitive fbres. Ii the
access OF air is prevented, or If the nerve
is altered, no sensation is prod ced.
Experiments in ply siolOgy, in TACT, have
settled that the 0lfact0ry nerves Cor
those of the first parry are assigned ex-
ciusively to the precert tion OF odors.
Loss Of the sense OF smell occurs when
ever the nerves are destroyed or injured
by any process, or even whenever they
are merely compressed. On the other
hand, it is matter of common observa-
ton that impending tho passage of air
into the nostrils, is quite as etfectual a
way OF making any sort OF oifactory sem
sation impossible. Let us add that the
region most sensitive to OdOrs is that OF
the upper part Of the nasal cavities.
EnlomOiogists MAINTAIN that scent Is
very delicate in most insects, and rely on
plausible conjectures on this subject,
but they do not as YET know what the
seat oil the sense of smell In insects is.
When meat is exposed to the air, in a
few moments flies make their appear
ance in place where none had before
been seen. II refuse matter or bod
les ofanimals are left on the ground, in
.sects flock to them at once, feeding on
such substances, ana deposiling their
eggs in them. Scent a!One seems to guide
them, exclusively OF sight even, Tor il
the subject OF their desire is hidden,
they easily manage to fluid It,. A Curl
'ous fact as to the scent OF insects is fur
nished by those kinds that prefer decay
ing substances, A beautiful arum is
found in our woods, the cooko8- -pintle.
whose white flower ditiuses disgusting
iodor. Now, the inside of this flower is
often flied with flies, snails, and plant
lice, seeking the putrid source OF this
ietid smell. We may see the little crea-
'tuies, in quest OF their food or OF lit
place to lay their eggs, move about in all
directions, and quit most unwillingiy
them.
10 complete these details, ii remains
to say sonnet hing Of the delusion OF the
sense OF smell; for this sense, like the
others, has it's alterations and halluein-
ations. The delusions OF smell are hard
ly ever isolated; they accompany those
ot hearing, sight, taste and touch, and
are also less frequent than the latter.
Insane people, who are affected by them,
complain of being baunled by tetid
or congratulate themselves
Oh inhaling the most delicious perfumes.
Lelut mentions the case OF a woman, an
inmate Of Ia Saltpetriere, who fancied
that she constantly perceived fright
iul stencil proceeding from the decay of
bodies she imagined buried in The courts
OF that institution. Impressions of the
kind are usually very annoying. Brierre
de BOismunt relates the account OF q
woman affected by disorder OF all her
senses. Whenever she saw a well dress
ed lady passing, she smelt the Odor Of
musk, winch was intolerable to her. Ii
it was man, she was distressingly af-
tected by the smell of tobacco, though
she was quite aware those scents exist
ed only in her imagination. Cappellini
mentions that a woman, who declared
thut she could not bear the smell of a
friends came in wearing one, though the
flower was only artificial.
Such facts might be muItIplied; but,
as they are all alike, it is not worth
while to mention more Of them. The
late observations made in insane asy-
lums, among others, those Of Al. Prevost,
at Ia Saltpetriere, have shown also that
these delusious and perversions Of the
sense oil smell are more common than
had hitherto been supposed among such
inyalids, and that il they usually pass
it arises from the fact that
nothing spontaneously denotes their ex-
istence.
More men have fallen in love than In
war.