Watson, Lyall. Jacobson's organ and the remarkable nature of smell.Plume. 255p. illus. bibliog. index. c1999. 0-452-28258-6. $14.00. SA Who would have thought that such a delightful treasure trove TREASURE TROVE. Found treasure. 2. This name is given to such money or coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion, which having been hidden or concealed in the earth or other private place, so long that its owner is unknown, has been discovered by accident. of a book could have resulted from plumbing the depths of understanding of the olfactory pits inside the nose--once thought to be vestigial organs? Watson, a naturalist and luminous science writer, has come up with a book about "the remarkable nature of smell" that is as captivating cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. as any of the essences it explores--the smell of a baby's hair (Did you know that infant scalps secrete secrete /se·crete/ (se-kret´) to elaborate and release a secretion. se·crete v. To generate and separate a substance from cells or bodily fluids. endorphins endorphins (ĕndôr`fĭnz), neurotransmitters found in the brain that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine. There are three major types of endorphins: beta endorpins, found primarily in the pituitary gland; and enkephalins and ?), body odor body odor A malodorous body scent. Cf Flatulance, Halitosis. (each person's is unique), Cleopatra's perfume-soaked sails (rosewater, in case you didn't know), the herbs burned on some ancient altars (related to human steroids), and hormones (plants can "sniff" them in the air just as we humans do). Classroom teachers who are searching for interdisciplinary themes: add "sense of smell" to your list. Lyall brings together a fascinating array of ideas on our olfactory olfactory /ol·fac·to·ry/ (ol-fak´ter-e) pertaining to the sense of smell. ol·fac·to·ry adj. Of, relating to, or contributing to the sense of smell. sense from various disciplines such as anatomy, botany, biochemistry, history, behavioral science behavioral science n. A scientific discipline, such as sociology, anthropology, or psychology, in which the actions and reactions of humans and animals are studied through observational and experimental methods. , and even autobiography (there are few more eloquent self-reports on the olfactory sense than Helen Keller's), thus offering an impressive example of a topic whose mysteries can only be solved by joining hands. As if it weren't enough to thoroughly inform and entertain readers with over 200 pages of text (studded with lovely illustrations from 17th-century woodcuts by Clusius, a pioneer of modern botany), Watson offers a thorough index that will appeal to browsers and aid anyone doing research on our remarkable sense of smell. Every page is a curiosity-tweaker: Why do we have two olfactory systems? What can synesthesia--that blending of senses--be like? What IS that unique odor of schizophrenia? What is the scent of Obsession? It leaves this reviewer with only one wistful suggestion for future editions of the book: scratch-and-sniff tabs on every page. Gloria Levine, Educational Writer/M.S. Teacher, Potomac, MD |
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