CHAP. VII. Of the Nose.
THe Nose is called in Greek Ris, because the excrements of the Brain flow forth by this passages thou maist understand it hath divers substance: by composition. The quantity, fi∣gure and site are sufficiently known to all. But it is composed of the skin and muscles, bones,* 1.1 gristles, a membrane or coat-nerves, veins and arteries. The skin and bones, both con∣tained and containing, have formerly been explained, as also the nerves, veins and arteries. The gristles of the Nose are six in number; the first is double, separating both the nostrils in the top of the Nose extended even to the bone Ethmoides. The second lyes under the former. The third and fourth are continued to the two outward bones of the Nose. The fifth and sixth being very slender, and descending on both sides of the Nose, make the wings or moveable parts thereof. Therefore the use of these gristles is, that the Nose moveable about the end thereof, should be less obnoxious to external injuries, as fractures and bruises; and besides, more fit for drawing the air in, and ex∣pelling it forth, in breathing. For Nature, for this purpose hath bestowed four muscles upon the Nose, on each side two, one within, and another without.
* 1.2The External taketh its original from the cheek, and descending obliquely from thence, and after some sort annexed to that which opens the upper lip, is terminated into the wing of the Nose, which it dilates.
The internal going on the inner side from the Jaw-bone, ends at the beginning of the gristles that make the wings, that so it may contract them. The coat which inwardly invests the Nostrils and their passages, is produced by the sive-like bones from the Crassa meninx, as the inner coat of the Palat, Throttle, Weazon, Gullet, and inner Ventricle; that it is no marvail, if the affects of such parts be quickly communicated with the Brain. This same coat on each side receives a porti∣on of a nerve from the third conjugation, through the hole which descends to the Nose by the great corner of the Eye.
* 1.3The Nose in all the parts thereof is of a cold and dry temper. The Action and profit thereof is to carry the air and oft-times smells to the mamillary processes, and from thence to the four Ven∣tricles of the Brain, for the reasons formerly shewed. But because the mamillary processes be∣ing the passages of the air and smels are double, and for that one of these may be obstructed with∣out the other, therefore Nature hath also distinguished the passage of the Nose with a gristly par∣tition put between, that when the one is obstructed, the air by the other may enter into the Brain for the generation and preservation of the animal spirit. The two holes of the Nose at the first a∣scend upwards, and then downwards into the mouth, by a crooked passage, lest the cold air, or dust,* 1.4 should be carryed into the Lungs. But the Nose was parted into two passages, as we see, not only for the forementioned cause, but also for helping the respiration and vindicating the smell from external injuries; and lastly, for the ornament of the face.