The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-09-23
LOWER FORMS OF LIFE.
Development OF the senses and the Brain
Some Curious Facts.

Developments OF the senses and the Brain
Some Curious Facts.
Among the lower forms of life the de-
velopment of the senses seems to have
much TO do with that of the brain. This
is what might be inferred, for tho
impressions made upon the exterior are
the basis for all intelligent acton, so
far as these forms of life, at least, are
| concerned. We know very little as to
| the kind and amount Of sense impress
sions which insects, fishes and reptiles
| receive. In the creeping things which
inhabit the water, as well as the insects,
we presume that the sense of touch ia
considerably developed, and in such as
! possess eyes something analogous to
what we know as sight must be theirs.
In insects'-some varieties at least-sght
must be marvelously acute, and thero
are good reasons for supposing that
smell is highly developed in some Of
them.
Sounds seem to affect them but little;
but of this we are by no means certain,
for they may possess hearing organs at
tuned to perceive tones which make no
| impression upon our comparatively dull
ears. AS many of them produce sounds,
it is probable that their fellows of the
same species can perceive them. Ants
evidently do not hear sounds produced
by US, but it is the opinion of some that
they produce sounds among themselves
which are used to convey intelligence
from one to another In certain birds,
especially those which fly by night like
the owl, hearing is developed to a de-
gree far beyond our own.
II IA vnI.yr r,robab1a tbat Hohag Io,o 70
rely to a great extent upon the sense OF
smell; by it they are enabled TO detect
food or enemies at immense distances.
In the shark the expanse of membrane
over which the examinations of Che nerves
nf smell are expanded is calculated to be
twelve or thirteen square feet This is
undoubtedly the most intelligent, as it is
the largest of the true fishes. This sense
bears the same relation TO the inteli-
gence of the fish as is borne by the sense
Of sight in the bird tribe. In these lat
ter, the sense of smell Is very imper-
fectly developed, subordinated to that Of
sight.
In many wild and domesticated quad
rupeds, the sense is very largely devel-
oped. The American buffalo (or bison),
and all the species of deer rely upon tito
give them notice Of approaching dan
ger. In the dog it is wonderfully acuto;
in fact, in some species it seems to CON
fer powers upon tho animal Of which
the human beings can have but
the remotest comprehension 1t
seems probable that every object
has distinct odor to the dog.
In fact, it seems to be for that
animal as important as that Of vision, il
not more essential to his well-being.
There are some very remarkable Incl
dents recorded Of a dog not only dis
individuals, but even voca-
tions by means Of this sense. The camel
can detect water at least a mile away by
smell and frogs seem to possess the faculty
to similar if not greater degree. The
horse, as is well known, makes great use
Of this sense, and blind animals Of this
species develop it to a high degree.
The sense of touch is not highly devel-
oped in fishes or reptiles, but the carniv-
erous birds seem to be rather highly en-
dowed in this regard. In the higher ami
mails especially the elephant, this sense
is sometimes found 10 be extremely
acute. In those animals which possess
claws it is also much better developed
than in others. Rats are very sensitive.
and are able to avoid obstacles in their,
rapid fight even after being blinded
Cor. Globe Democrat.