OF THE HUMAN SYSTEM. 409 



periods in different climates, to say nothing of particular 

 individuals and families. *(C) 



658. The epiphyses of the bones, hitherto distinct 

 from their diaphyses, now become intimately united, 

 and, in a manner, confounded with them. 



659. At manhood the longer and more excellent pe- 

 riod of human existence, life is, with respect to the cor- 

 poreal functions, at the highest pitch (82), or, in other 

 words, these functions are performed with the greatest 

 vigour and constancy; in regard to the mental func- 

 tions, the grand prerogative of mature judgment is now 

 afforded. 



660. The approach of old age f is announced in wo- 

 men by the cessation of the catamenia (556), and not 

 unfrequently by an appearance of beard upon the chin ;J 

 in men, by less alacrity to copulate : in both, by a se- 



* For man has no peculiar privilege of not experiencing the effects of cli- 

 mate in common with other organised bodies, which are commonly known to 

 arrive at their growth much later, caeteris paribus, in cold than in warm 

 climates. 



As to the giants of Patagonia and the dwarfs of Madagascar, mentioned by 

 Commerson, I have reduced the exaggerated accounts of the former to a true 

 statement, and have shewn that the latter are diseased Cretins, in my Treatise 

 De gen. hum. var. nativ. p. 253, 260. cd. 3. 



f J. Bern. Fischer, Tract, de senio ejusque morbis. Ed. 2. Erf. 1760. 8vo. 



Benj. Rush, Medical Inquiries and Observations. Vol. ii. Philadel. 1793. 

 8vo. p. 295 sq. 



Burc. W. Seller, Anatomic c. h. senilis specimen. Erlang. 1799. fcvo. 



Const. Anast. Philites, 1. c. 



J Vide J. Burlin, De faeminis e.v suppressione mensiitm barbatis. Altorf. 

 1664. 4to. This remarkable phenomenon, that deserves further investigation, 

 is analogous to a change frequently remarked in female birds, which, after 

 ceasing to lay eggs, lose the feathers peculiar to their sex and acquire those cha- 

 racteristic of the male. Examples of this occur in the columba oenas, phasianus 

 rolchicus, pavo cristatus, otis tarda, pipra rupicola, anas boschas, &c. 



