LITRRARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 289 



tbem as the noblest of God's works which we have here the power to inrestU 

 gate. 



" A portion of the Natural History of Man has, I am aware, formed the 

 subject of a lecture already delivered to you by an accomplished physician 

 resident here, to whom, indeed, I feel that an apology is due for having, 

 although quite inadvertently, intruded on a subject which I know he has 

 already illustrated by his talents, his learning, and his brilliant eloquence. I 

 shall carefully confine myself to such parts of the subject as 1 believe to have 

 been only incidentally spoken of by Dr. Maiden, and especially to the structure 

 and functions of the human frame." 



Dr. ConoUy then proceeded to give a popular description, aided by drawings, 

 sculls, and separate bones, of the human skeleton, pointing out the contri- 

 vances existing in it for uniting firmness, lightness, and facility of motion. The 

 muscles and joints, and the filling tjp of the skeleton and its coverings, were 

 also explained ; and Dr. C, proceeded to the consideration of some of the more 

 important functions of the organs contained within the skeleton, in the follow- 

 ing terms. 



'* But the skeleton and muscles, and the organs which fill up the cavities, are 

 not self-existent. They are continually undergoing destruction and repair, 

 removal and renewal. The particles which compose the whole body are for 

 ever changing. There is also a gradual growth up to adult age ; and there is 

 at length as sure a decay. The human being is born weak and defenceless, and 

 long continues to be protected by other beings, the object of their aflfectionate 

 solicitude. During this period, and for some time afterward, how wonderfully 

 may we not observe the laws of nutrition and of growth exemplified. Food 

 is taken by the child ; and this food is converted into living particles, added 

 to every tissue in the body ; membrane and muscle, nerve and blood-vessel, 

 and bone : and by this constant accretion the child grows up to youth, and 

 to adult age. 



** Plants are nourished by the absorption of suitable fluids, constantly going 

 on. Animals, intended as we have seen for locomotion, cannot be nourished by 

 roots : they must have a stomach, or reservoir, large, and capable of admitting 

 solid food, requiring mastication and solution by liquids. Their nutrition is 

 less simple, and their digestion more complicated. 



" As plants draw up from the dark earth materials to be elaborated inta 

 fresh leaf and beauteous flower, and blushing fruit ; so from the food takea 

 into the animal stomach are wrought tissues which compose the whole body ; — 

 the skin, the eye, the very brain, — all that attracts our affections, and all that 

 excites our wonder. 



•* This singular conversion of food into living tissues, capable from the 

 principle of life, of resisting the agencies of physical nature which would 

 decompose them, is so continued until the body has attained a certain stature,^ 

 so as not only to repair but to add to the bulk of every portion of the body. 



** The new-born child is one and a half foot long, about one fourth of 

 the stature finally attained ; at two years and a half one half of the final 

 stature is attained ; and at nine or ten years three fourths. Then, wheu 

 the adult stature is obtained, this wonderful process of growth is suspended,, 

 and that of renewal only continued. The bulk of the body, and the quantity 

 of fat deposited in particular tissues may yet be increased ; but the stature 

 cannot be added to by any measure of food. Yet, if a power of addition 

 1$ required, if growth is wanted, it can yet be exerted. If a simple wound 

 be made in a soft part by a sharp cutting instrument, all that Nature 

 requires as the condition of its cure is, that the divided edges shall be 

 brought into close apposition ; and she then agglutinates them. But if part of 

 the substance be lost, and the divided edges cannot meet. Nature is compelled, 

 if we may use such language, to alter her plan of cure ; she begins to build up 

 fleshy granulations from the lowest part of the wound ; raises them in 

 successive layers to the surface, and when this masonry is completed, covers in 

 the work by a formation of new skin. So that when addition is wanted, it is 

 made ; but except in such cases, the frame is preserved for its appointed time, 

 but not added to after adult age. After a time, whatever food is taken* 



