to inquire, as some have, what animals have an operculum for the smell, of that kind? or what mean those veins and pores? As although the operculum, that is, the epiglottis, was known to be protective of the larynx and, therefore, the respiratory organs, the relations of the larynx with the parts associated with it had not been made out; and the veins and pores refer, probably, to the bronchi and vessels within the chest.
Note 6, p. 112. In fine, odour is derived, &c.] Aristotle here differs from Plato, who held that odorous particles are in a state rather of fluidity; and Cuvier[1] says, that "the organ of smell is moistened with abundant viscosity, which arrests the odorous particles contained in air or water; as fishes are sensible of odours. But odour, being regarded as exhalation, was assumed to be of fiery nature and, therefore, like the element, dry, and this required, for the conformity of the hypothesis of like upon like, that the organ of the sense, when in potentiality, should be also dry, and so, in due relation to odour.
- ↑ Anat. Comparée, 15me leçon.
