Page 74 - The Miracles of Smell and Taste
P. 74
72
Although parsley and
hemlock (right) are plants that
resemble each other very closely
in terms of appearance, parsley is
useful and sweet-smelling, while
hemlock is poisonous and smells
unpleasant.
danger of being poisoned and, as a precaution, would have to carry
around lists of what was harmful or not.
The delicate balances seen everywhere in the universe also manifest
themselves in the olfactory system. The scent-perception capacity of every
living thing has been regulated in the light of the environment in which it
exists and to best meet its needs. Consider human beings. If our scent-per-
ception capability were less than it is, we might not be able to recognize
dangerous situations. If our capacity were as keen as a dog’s, however,
then we would constantly be distracted and ill at ease, bombarded by too
many stimuli.
The balances in question can also be seen in the structures of scent
molecules. For example we do not like a concentrated aroma that we nor-
mally like in lower concentrations. Even though the aroma of flowers in a
garden is most attractive, a concentrated essence made from those same
plants is not. This indicates that these have been created in the ideal pro-
portions for human beings.
It is clear that every detail to do with smell has been specially creat-
ed for human life and is a blessing from God.
The Miracles of Smell and
Taste