26 THE REASON WHY : 



" We censure Nature for a span too short ; 

 That span too short we tax as tedious too; 

 Fortune, invention, all expedients tire, 

 To lash the lingering moments into speed." Yovxo. 



68. What are ligaments? 



Ligaments are composed of numerous straight fibres collected to- 

 gether, and arranged into short bands of various breadth, parallel or 

 radiating, and interwoven with others which cross them. Sometimes 

 the ligament is so formed as to surmount the articular ends of two 

 bones which move upon one another, and here it is called a capsule' 

 Ligaments are not extensible nor elastic ; hence, when any attempt 

 is made to stretch them too far, great pain is the result, and 

 inflammation follows, and they are said to be sprained. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF THE HUMAN FRAME! THE HEART, 

 LUNGS, LIVER, STOMACH, BRAIN, ETC. 



69. Haw is blood formed ? 



The food which we eat is masticated and afterwards swallowed ; 

 it is then received into the stomach, where it is prepared by 

 digestion for the nourishment of the body. Here tLe^e is a 

 fluid formed which changes the food into a substance cu'Jcd chyme r 

 which, passing into the several intestines, is there con>.,rced into a 

 milky liquour denominated chyle. This is the fluid isirrttar from 

 which the blood is formed. 



70. WJiat is the composition of blood? 



The blood may be described as consisting of innumerable cells 

 suspended in a gelatinous fluid. These cells or globules are formed 

 of thin transparent sacs, evolving a reddish fluid, tne quantity 

 and quality of which undergo constant changes, hi consequence 

 of its passing to and fro vessels containing a denser fluid. As a 

 general rule, the deeper or lighter colour of the blood may be said 

 to depend on the greater or smaller number of the globules. The 

 colour may also become darker although the globules are uimin- 

 ished ; and this is caused by the blood cells assuming a more 

 globular form, through its action of passing in the vessel con 



