An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinctLydekker, Richard
Science
An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct
Lydekker, Richard
Mammals
_Sense of Touch._—The sense of touch is situated in the skin generally,
but is most acute in certain regions more or less specialised for the
purpose by the presence of tactile papillæ, such as portions of the face,
especially the lips and end of the snout, and the extremities of the
limbs when these are used for other purposes than mere progression, and
the under surface of the end of the tail in some Monkeys. The “vibrissæ”
or long stiff bristles situated on the face of many mammals are rendered
extremely sensitive to touch by the abundant supply of branches from
the fifth nerve to their basal papillæ. In Bats the extended wing
membranes, and probably also the large ears and the folds and prominences
of skin about the face of some species, are so sensitive as to receive
impressions even from the different degrees of resistance of the air, and
so enable the animals to avoid coming in contact with obstacles to their
nocturnal flight.
_Taste and Smell._—The organs of the other special senses are confined
to the head. Taste is situated in the papillæ scattered on the dorsal
surface of the tongue. The organ of smell is present in all mammals
except the Toothed Whales. It consists of a ramification of the olfactory
nerves over a plicated, moist, mucous membrane, supported by folded
plates of bone, placed on each side of the septum nasi in the roof, or
often in a partially distinct upper chamber, of the nasal passage, so
arranged that, of the air passing into the lungs in inspiration, some
comes in contact with it, causing the perception of any odorous particles
with which it may be charged. Many mammals possess intense powers of
smelling certain odours which others are quite unable to appreciate, and
the influence which this sense exercises over the well-being of many
species is very great, especially in indicating the proximity of others
of the same kind, and giving warning of the approach of enemies. The
development and modification of the sense of smell is probably associated
with that of the odorous secretion of the cutaneous glands.
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