M. Majendie instituted some curious experiments on the sense of
smelling, and he was led to believe that it depended more on the fifth
pair of nerves than on the olfactory nerve. He divided the fifth pair,
and from that moment no odour, no puncture, produced the slightest
apparent impression on the membrane of the nose. In another dog he
destroyed the two olfactory nerves, and placed some strong odours
beneath the nostrils of the animal. The dog conducted himself as he
would have done in his ordinary state. Hence he concluded it probable
that the olfactory nerve was not that of smelling.
The simple fact, however, is, that there are two species of nerves here
concerned--those of common and of peculiar sensation. The olfactory
nerve is the nerve of smelling, the fifth pair is that of common
sensation. They are to a certain degree necessary to each other.
'Scent'.--This leads us to the consideration of the term "scent." It
expresses the odour or effluvium which is constantly issuing from every
animal, and especially when that animal is in more than usual exercise.
In a state of heat or excitement, the pores of the skin appear relaxed,
and a fluid or aqueous vapour is secreted, which escapes in small or
large quantities, adheres to the persona or substances on which it
falls, and is, particularly, received on the olfactory organs. The
hound, at almost the earliest period, begins to comprehend the work
which he has to perform. The peculiar scent which his nostrils imbibe
urges him eagerly to pursue but the moment he ceases to be conscious of
the presence of the effluvium, he is at a perfect loss.
Mr. Daniel, in his work on the Chase, very properly observes, that "the
scent most favourable to the hound is when the effluvium, constantly
perspired from the game as it runs, is kept by the gravity of the air at
the height of his breast. It is then neither above his reach nor does he
need to stoop for it. This is what is meant when the scent is said to be
breast-high."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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