El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-08-08

the edge of the lid. This tube
called the tear duct" because it is
put there to carry off surplus moist
ure- II IL happens to become clOgged in
considerable annoyance by overlooking
upon the cheek. When a person Weeps,
such an overflow is bound TO occur be-
cause the pipe is not of sufficient ca
pacity to carry it all off
Can Hear Through the Mouth.
One does not usually think Of the
mouth as an organ of hearing; yet il
is such in very important degree.
The fact that we hear with our teeth
has been taken advantage Of within
recent years through an invention
which would be widely employed by
deaf people If IL were better known.
The cOntrivance in question is a hard
rubber fan which the deaf person holds
in such way as TO grip the upper
edge between his teeth while turning
the flat fan toward the individual who
speaks.
Certain cavities in the skull are even
yet a puzzle to anatomists. Behind
each of your eyebrows the wall OF
your skull is double, and between the
two walls is an open space big enough
to put your finger into. What is this
for? The answer is that nobody
Is another cavity Of considerable size.
What is the use OF them2 Nobody can
say There are several other hollOWs
in the bones back of the upper part OF
the nose, and two big ones at the base
Of the brain. Their usefulness is
equally mysterious. But it is surmised
that all OF these empty spaces are
meant to serve as resonating cavities
TO lend 'timbro" and give a more SON
orous quality TO the voice.
How the Tongue Tastes.
So FAR as the mouth is concerned, 1t
IS the tongue that does most Of the
ing-especially the back part Of It.
But il is very curious to observe that
different parts Of the tongue are sensi-
tive to different kinds OF taste i'm
presslOns- Thus, for example, sugar
tastes sweetest-in other words, its
sweetness is perceived most acutely-
at the end Of your tongue. But II
You try the same thing with powdered
Quinine, YOU will discover that the tip
Of the tongue hardly notices it In
order to taste it much. you must put
the quinine on the back part Of the
tongue.
Thus it appears that the end Of your
tongue is most sensitive to sweet and
the back portion most sensitive 10 bit
ter. But If YOU will make a similar
experiment with lemon juice, you viii
ind that its sOurness is perceived most
acutely not by the tip. nor by the rear
part, but by the edges Of the tongue.
The edges, in fact, are. more sensitive
70 any kind Of acid than other por-
lions Of the organ.
Now, if this sort Of thing interests
you, try another little test Wipe your
tongue as dry as you conveniently can
with a handkerchief; then apply 10 II
a little sugar, or a bit Of quinine, or
anything else that has a strong taste.
You will find that there is no taste
sensation whatever. On the other
hand, though your tongue were nor
mally moist, the quinine or sugar
would have no taste whatever If II
remained dry. Apparently substance
must pass into solution. that is be as
solved before It can convey sensation
Really Taste with Our Noses.
When one has bad cold, the sense
Of taste is largely lost for the time
being, owing TO stoppage OF the nasal
passages and congestion Of their mem
branous lining. This shows to how
great an extent il is true that we taste
with our noses The nose, indeed may
be said TO play a more important part