THE REASON WHY: 



" Man ! know thyself. All wisdom centres there : 

 To none man seems ignoble, but to man " YOUNG. 



2G. Wliy are the palms of the hands and the insides and tipa 

 of the fingers guarded by cushions of skin ? 



If it were not for this protection, the strain upon the blood- 

 vessels and nerves would be too great, and the texture even 

 of bones and muscles would not be able to sustain the demand 

 made upon them. 



27. Why are the fingers furnished with nails ? 



If the fingers were not thus furnished, the flesh would be 

 forced out of its position and incapable of supporting hard sub- 

 stances ; the assistance of the nails is also necessary in retaining 

 minute objects which would otherwise elude the grasp. 



28. The nails are applicable to many other purposes, and in polishing and scraping, 

 In tearing and peeling off the skins of vegetables and animals, and in almost ever/ 

 act where nicety of execution is required. 



"29. How are the nails of the hands and feet formed? 



The nails are a part of the scarf skin, and present the same pheno- 

 menapf adaptation to the surface of the sensitive skin, but in a more 

 striking manner. The portion of sensitive skin which gives support 

 to the nail is formed into very delicate longitudinal folds, which 

 stand up perpendicularly to the surface. The nail upon its under 

 surface is fashioned into thin vertical plates, which are received 

 between the folds of sensitive skin ; and in this manner the two 

 kinds of lamina reciprocally embracing each other, the firmness of 

 connect! n of the nail is maintained. 



30. If we took on the surface of the nail we sec an indication of its structure in 

 the alternate red and white lines which are there observed; the former of these 

 correspond with the sensitive laminae, the latter with the horny plates, and the 

 ribbed appearance of the nail is due to the same circumstance. These sensitive 

 lamina.- 1 are provided with an unusual number of blood-vessels for the formation of 

 the nail, and hence they give a red tint to that portion under which they lie ; but 

 ni'.ircr tho root of the nail, there is a part which is not laminated, but merely 

 ridged longitudinally, and is less abundantly supplied with capillary vessels. Tuu 

 iui.u i part consequently voks pale if compared with the preceding. The root of the 



