Note m — BOOK IV.

The Ear-wax was thought by the old Anatomists to be an Excrement of the Brain: Humor biliosus à cerebro expugnatus, the Bartholines say of it, l. 3. c. 9. But as Schelhammer well observes, Nil absurdius, quàm cerebri excrementum hoc statuere. Nam & ratio nulla suadet, ut in cerebro fieri excrementum tale credamus:——neque viæ patent per quas ab eo seclusum in meatum auditorium possit inde penetrare. As to its Taste, Casserius gives Instances of its being sweet in some Creatures. But Schelhammer says, Ego verò semper, cum amaritie aliquid dulcedinis in illo deprehendi. Vid. Schel. de Audit. p. 1. c. 2. §. 10. But I could never distinguish any Sweetness in it; but think it insipid mixed with a Bitterness.