86 POPULAR ERRORS. * 



material, or even appreciable degree, in individuals whose height i» 

 the same. The main difference which appears to subsist, arises, from 

 the relative position of the head, and shoulders, and the varying degree of 

 plumpness in these persons, and is produced by a greater fulness about 

 the throat, by which the clear space between the head and shoulders 

 is curtailed, and a seeming shortness of neck induced. Were it true 

 that some persons had unusually short necks, and that therefore they 

 were subjects for apoplexy, tlien those who are of the shortest stature 

 as having the shortest necks, should of necessity be most subject to that 

 disease, which is assuredly not found to be the case — neither is it true 

 that persons who are plump and whose necks, by their plumpness are 

 rendered apparently short, are in any degree more subject on account 

 of their obesity to be attacked with apoplexy. The truth is, the appa- 

 rent shortness of the neck is in a great measure deceptive, and that 

 individuals of every height, and size, and state of plumpness, are 

 equally liable to this disease; for it depends upon a chronic ailment of 

 the brain, analagous to chronic inflamation or congestion in other 

 parts of the body, and to which the aged, and habitual drinkers of 

 ardent spirits, are subject, and which by weakening the vessels of that 

 organ, eventually leads to a rupture of them. 



Of the evil which may practically result from the error just noticed 

 little need be said ; for it is obvious that no one who is of a thin habit, 

 and partakes of this en-or, and whose neck in appearance, at least, is 

 long, will believe himself a subject for apoplexy, while perhaps he is 

 imminently threatened with it, and will be prone to neglect the means 

 which are demanded to resist its approach, or relieve him from its 

 presence. Such cases of neglect are common. 

 (To he continued.) 



THE RIVULET. 

 From Dr. Buchannans unpublished work — Grcemes Dike. 

 A rivulet of transparent water contributed to the picturesque beauty 

 of the ravine, as it ran gurgling through that obstruction, and over- 

 leaping this; like the man of the world, who is gentle or loquacious, 

 to one part of the creation — his equals ; but rude and imperious, to 

 those beneath his lordly power ; and thus this little rivulet ran, an 

 emblem of higher things ; dispensing its favours as some powerful 

 minister of state, not according to merit, but according to place. 



