Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/244

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204
Reflections upon

ture of its Substance, (n)(n) Vide Malpighium de Linguâ. some thinking it to be glandulous, some muscular, and some of a peculiar Nature, not to be matched in any other part of the Body. This therefore, Malpighius examined with his Glasses, and discovered, that it was cloathed with a double Membrane; that in the inner Membrane there are Abundance of small Papillæ, which have extremities of Nerves inserted into them, by which the Tongue discerns Tasts, and that under that Membrane it is of a muscular Nature consisting of numberless Heaps of Fibres which run all manner of Ways over one another like a Mat.

The general Uses of the Glands of the Mouth, Jaws and Neck were anciently known; it was visible that the Mouth was moistend by them, and the Mass of the Spittle supplied from them; and then, having named them from the Places near which they lie, as the Palate, the Jaws, the Tongue, the Ears, the Neck, they went no further; and there was little, if any thing, more done, till Dr. Wharton, and Nicolaus Steno examined these Glands. And upon an exact Enquiry Four several Salival Ducts have been discovered, which from several Glands discharge the Spittle into the Mouth. The First was described by Dr. Wharton (o)(o) Adenograph. cap. 21. near Forty Years

ago: