NATURAL THEOLOGY. 21 



surrounds the brain, and which is termed by anato- 

 mists, cranium) from a Greek word signifying a helmet, 



J5. So, without knowing it, we have made our 

 helmets to cover the head, upon the very principle 

 upon which the head itself is constructed. 



T. Yes, and in another circumstance quite as cu- 

 rious as this. 



A. The helmet is not only lined with leather, but 

 covered with hair, which is said not to be intended for 

 an ornament merely, but is an essential part of the pro- 

 tection. It breaks the force of the blow, and lessens 

 the agitation of the metal. Nature has done the same. 

 The advantage of the hair is two-fold. It tends to 

 prevent any tremulous motion in the skull, upon the 

 principle of a coating ; and besides, furnishes the 

 general benefit of a cushion for the head ; for w r hich 

 it is eminently fitted, it being the very material of 

 which cushions are usually made, on account of its 

 particular excellence as a springy or elastic substance. 

 Such are some of the uses which the wisdom of na- 

 ture has contrived to unite with this beautiful orna- 

 ment. 



B. It appears, then, that the greater abundance 

 of the hair, when we are young and heedless, is no 

 unimportant circumstance. 



A. There is one practice with regard to children, 

 however, that would not seem to accord very well 

 with this provision of Providence, I mean that of 

 rocking them to sleep. The violence with which this 

 mechanical anodyne is often applied by the impatient 

 nurse, argues no great sensibility, one would think, in 

 the brain of the infant. 



