294 On the Sense of Feeling. 



the conthuiity of tlie surface, though often proving highly inconvenient to 

 the more tender parts beneath. 



The lines and decussations, by which the surface of the cuticle is marked, 

 are singular and deserve notice. Upon the back of the hand they are 

 angular and reticulated, upon the palm and sole parallel and elongated ; 

 upon the tips of the fingers they form curves and spirals, and a number of 

 very beautiful convolutions. 



The structure and origin of the cuticle have been questions much dis- 

 cussed among anatomists, both of the middle and the present age. 



Lewenhoek considered it as composed of fine scales ; other observers 

 speak of it as laminated, and describe with fatal accuracy the decreasing vita- 

 lity of each layer as it approaches the surface. It is, however, now admitted 

 on all hands that neither nerves nor blood vessels have been traced into itj 

 whence it is now generally held to be absolutely inorganic, and to be de- 

 posited as a rapidly drying secretion from the vessels of the subjacent 

 dermis. 



The epidermis is reproduced very quickly, when by any accident it has 

 peeled off; and that it is secreted by the dermis, may be inferred from the 

 fact, that where that basis has been destroyed, no cuticle is again formed. 



The epidermis, though exquisitely thin, is not permeable by other than 

 its own fluids ; and when, after death, a portion of it has been removed, 

 the dermis and cellular substance beneath immediately dessicate, becoming 

 stiff and hard, and adherent to the muscle below. 



The epidermis is not soluble in water, nor in alcohol, but is readily acted 

 upon by an alkali, as any one may discover, who rubs a piece of pure 

 potassa between his finger and thumb. 



We now arrive at the two structures subordinate to the integument, — 

 that for its proper lubrication, and that for the secretion of its hair. 



The first, the sebaceous glands, are called, from their obscurity, 'Crypts,' 

 KpvTTTa. The last, the growth of the hair being better understood, are 

 called ' Phanera,' ({luvspa. 



The crypts are small follicles or glandules, secreting an unctuous fluid, 

 which is poured out upon the surface of the body, defending the frame 

 from the noxious influence of moisture, and causing water to stand upon it 

 in drops, as upon a greased substance. 



The last system, that of the ' phanera,' is highly interesting j and, as it 

 is the basis of many other structures besides hair, will deserve particular 

 attention. 



Lodged in the cellular membrane, below the dermis, are a number of 

 small, oval, and highly vascular bulbs, connected with the dermis by a sin- 

 gle stalk, which perforates both that membrane and the cuticle, and which 

 contains the hair. 



Such an organ may be divided into two parts, the living secreting bulb, 

 and the dead inorganic hair. 



