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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
Creator in the structure of the ear , it has been observed , that it is situated In tfie most convenient part of the body , and in a part near the common sensory in the brain , to give more speedy information : in a part where it can be best guarded , and where it can be most free from
annoyances , and where it gives the least hindrance to the exercise of any other part—in a part appropriated to the peculiar use of the principal senses :- —in the most elevated part of the body , where it can perceive the greatest number of objects , and
receive the greatest information , and also in the neighbourhood of the eye , with which it has a peculiar and admirable communication by its nerves . Thus , with regard to its situation and place in the body , the sense is admirably designed and cctatrived .
The external ear in different quadrupeds is very differently framed , but always exactly calculated for the creature ' s manner of life . Hares and such other animals as are daily ex'pesed to insults from beasts of prey , have large ears directed backwards ,
titieir eyes warning them of any danger before : rapacious animals , on the other hand , 'have their ears placed directly forwards , as may be seen in the lion and cat . In hounds and other other animals , that are designed to hear most distinctly the sounds
coming from below , the ears hang downwards , or they are flexible , because they move their heads , for the most part , with greater difficulty than man . Man , who must equally bear sounds coming from all quarters , has his external ear placed in a vertical manner , somewhat turned forward . Moreover ,
as the fpvm of this organ is various in various animals , so in each of them its structure i $ very curious and observable , being in all admirably contrived to collect the wandering impressions and undulations of sound , and to convey them to the sensory within .
We must conclude this article with some observations on the nature of so und ^ which is of such admirable use in the animal world . It is known from very simple experiments , that
air is the vehicle of sound , for if the clatp ^ er of a bell be mad e to strike the side when it is under a glass receiver full , of air , th $ sound will readily be heard ; but if the experiment
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be made in a receiver that has no a ' within it , the sound cap scarcely be heard at all ; and in a receiver containing condensed air , the sound wil ] be much stronger . There is no doubt therefore , that it is the air that
conveys sounds to the organs of hearing Sound propagates itself on all sides in right lines , when obstacles do not hinder it ; so that every point of a , sonorous body may be considered as being the common summit of a great
number of very sleuder cones of an indefinite length . Sound employs a certain time to diffuse itself through the air , and it is longer in arriving at the ear , as that organ is farther from the sounding body . The velocit y of sound is at the rate of 1142 feet in a
second of time , and this , according to Dr . Derham , is the same in all weathers , whether the sky fee clear and serene , or cloudy and turbid ; whether it snows or rains , thunders or lightens ; whether cold or hot , day or night , winter or summer , whether the mercury in the barometer rises or falls , in all changes of the atmosphere ,
wind on ] y excepted . M " Who but an intelligent Being , says Derham , " what less than an omnipotent and infinitely wise God could contrive and * nake such a fine body , such a medium , so susceptible of every impression that the sense of
hearing hath occasion for , to erapower all animals to express their sense and meaning to others ; to make known their fears and their mats , their pains and Borrows in mournful tones ; their joys and pleasures in more harmonious notes ; to send their minds at srreat distances in a short
time ; or to express their thoughts near at hand with a gentle voke or in se cret whispers . Who less than the same most wise and indulgent Crea tor , could form such an economy » s tftaT of melody and music ; that the me dium should so readil y receive even tne
impression of sound , and convey melodious vibration of every n ™ ^ String , the harmonious pulses of ever ) animal voice , and of every n ™ SIC <\ pipe , and the ear be as well adapa and as ready to receive all the se previous , as the medium to con . them ; and finally that ™ f * » o not only affect the fancy with < W"S but also give relief to the mo Mjj and peace to those who are ** by strong passions . Who UK *
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304 Natural Tautology . 2 V $ . V . — Ear ^
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1815, page 304, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1760/page/40/
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