DR. ERASMUS DARWIN. 59 



teaspoonful of frothy mucus, and is attended with considerable 

 thirsWthe thirst is occasioned by the previous dissipation of the 

 aqueous part of the blood by sensible or insensible perspiration ; 

 which was produced by the increased action of the cutaneous and 

 pulmonary capillaries during the stimulus of the wine in conse- 

 quence of this an increased absorption commenced to replace this 

 moisture, and the skin and mouth become dry, and the pulmonary 

 mucus becomes inspissated, which stimulates the bronchia, and is 

 raised into froth by the necessary currents of air in evacuating it 

 this production of froth is called by some free drinkers ' spitting 

 sixpences ' ! " 



We may pass now to the solemn conclusion of his 

 book. He hopes Dr. Erasmus Darwin hopes, that he 

 has done something towards an eventual edifice, " which 

 may not moulder, like the structures already erected, 

 into the sand of which they were composed ; but which 

 may stand unimpaired, like the Newtonian philosophy, a 

 rock amid the waste of ages ! jamque Opus exegi 



The work is done ! nor Folly's active rage, 

 Nor envy's self, shall blot the golden page ; 

 Time shall admire, his mellowing touch employ 

 And mend the immortal tablets, not destroy ! " 



