[V]. The senses of smell and taste in many other animals greatly excel those of mankind, for in civilized society, as our victuals are generally prepared by others, and are adulterated with salt, spice, oil, and empyreuma, we do not hesitate about eating whatever is set before us, and neglect to cultivate these senses: whereas other animals try every morsel by the smell, before they take it into their mouths, and by the taste before they swallow it: and are led not only each to his proper nourishment by this organ of sense, but it also at a maturer age directs them in the gratification of their appetite of love. Which may be further understood by considering the sympathies of these parts described in Class IV. 2. 1. 7. While the human animal is directed to the object of his love by his sense of beauty, as mentioned in No. [VI]. of this Section. Thus Virgil. Georg. III. 250.
Nonne vides, ut tota tremor pertentat equorum
Corpora, si tantum notas odor attulit auras?
Nonne canis nidum veneris nasutus odore
Quærit, et erranti trahitur sublambere linguâ?
Respuit at gustum cupidus, labiisque retractis
Elevat os, trepidansque novis impellitur æstris
Inserit et vivum felici vomere semen.—
Quam tenui filo cæcos adnectit amores
Docta Venus, vitæque monet renovare favillam!—ANON.