DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0134
108 PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD. [lECT. V.
part, should yet so strongly affect the ear in the ut-
most variety of modulations and degrees, surpasses
our admiration. I cannot quit this subject, without
remarking the peculiar structure of this organ : Its
external part is cartilaginous, extended, but narrow-
ing as it approaches the internal chambers; the wan-
dering sounds are hereby collected, and transmitted
to a membrane called the tympanum^ or drum, which
is a fine skin extended on a circle of bones, over a
reverberating cavity : this is affected by the vibra-
tions of the air, and is furnished with braces, whereby
to tighten or relax itself at pleasure. The internal
cavity, and its furniture, the labyrinthine windings
of the passages, the contrivances to soften the percus-
sions of sound when too strong, or to augment them
when too weak, the hammer vibrated by them, and
repeating the motion, are so many instances of Om-
niscient skill; what shall we then say to the forma-
tion of those nerves, to act upon which requires all
this apparatus !
As it is of consequence to attain a competent skill
in designing those parts which have now separately
employed our attention, I advise my voung friends
to pay them every regard ; repetition, though not,
perhaps, always very entertaining, is indispensably
necessary. This premised, our next step is to place
and unite them. My auditors have a general
knowledge of their situation as well from natural ob-
servation as from what has been already offered \—
let us now proceed to apply the principles of art.
The
part, should yet so strongly affect the ear in the ut-
most variety of modulations and degrees, surpasses
our admiration. I cannot quit this subject, without
remarking the peculiar structure of this organ : Its
external part is cartilaginous, extended, but narrow-
ing as it approaches the internal chambers; the wan-
dering sounds are hereby collected, and transmitted
to a membrane called the tympanum^ or drum, which
is a fine skin extended on a circle of bones, over a
reverberating cavity : this is affected by the vibra-
tions of the air, and is furnished with braces, whereby
to tighten or relax itself at pleasure. The internal
cavity, and its furniture, the labyrinthine windings
of the passages, the contrivances to soften the percus-
sions of sound when too strong, or to augment them
when too weak, the hammer vibrated by them, and
repeating the motion, are so many instances of Om-
niscient skill; what shall we then say to the forma-
tion of those nerves, to act upon which requires all
this apparatus !
As it is of consequence to attain a competent skill
in designing those parts which have now separately
employed our attention, I advise my voung friends
to pay them every regard ; repetition, though not,
perhaps, always very entertaining, is indispensably
necessary. This premised, our next step is to place
and unite them. My auditors have a general
knowledge of their situation as well from natural ob-
servation as from what has been already offered \—
let us now proceed to apply the principles of art.
The