In
the case of taste, which is merely a modification of touch and which
is placed in the tongue, the fact is more apparent than in the case of
touch, but still not so manifest as in the case of the other senses.
However, even in taste it is evident enough; for in some animals the
tongue is plainly forked. The double character of the sensations is,
however, more conspicuous in the other organs of sense. For there
are two ears and two eyes, and the nostrils, though joined together,
are also two. Were these latter otherwise disposed, and separated from
each other as are the ears, neither they nor the nose in which they
are placed would be able to perform their office. For in such
animals as have nostrils olfaction is effected by means of
inspiration, and the organ of inspiration is placed in front and in
the middle line. This is the reason why nature has brought the two
nostrils together and placed them as the central of the three
sense-organs, setting them side by side on a level with each other, to
avail themselves of the inspiratory motion. In other animals than
man the arrangement of these sense-organs is also such as is adapted
in each case to the special requirements.
11
For instance, in quadrupeds the ears stand out freely from the
head and are set to all appearance above the eyes.
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