CHAP. 59.—THE NOSTRILS.

Within the cheeks is the mouth, which gives such strong indications of the feelings of joyousness and laughter; and above it, but in man only, is the nose, which modern notions have stamped as the exponent of sarcasm and ridicule.[1] In no other animal but man, is the nose thus prominent; birds, serpents, and fishes, have no nostrils, but apertures only for the purpose of smell. It is from the peculiarity of the nose that are derived the surnames of "Simus"[2] and "Silo." Children born in the seventh month often have the ears and the nostrils imperforate.

1. Hence the word "nasutus," a sneering, captious, or sarcastic man.

2. "Flat-nosed, " and " snub-nosed."