LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 151 



tortuous ; for it is now forming part of the ulti- 

 mate tissue of the tip of the nasal promontory. 

 The little globule, therefore, now moves along 

 with diminished rapidity. Gradually it approaches 

 nearer and nearer; and just when it has arrived 

 exactly opposite to the little hollow left by the ab- 

 sorbent, becoming suddenly obedient to the secret 

 agency of the nerves, its nutritious elements dart 

 through the coats of the artery, like rays of light 

 through glass, into that hollow, and at that instant 

 become part and parcel of one of the most goodly 

 noses within the four seas. The artery now turns 

 back, soon loses the characteristics of an artery, 

 and becomes a vein ; by which vein the rest of the 

 little globule is conveyed back, through the heart, 

 to the lungs, there to be mingled with fresh chyle, 

 and revivified by the action of the air in their cells. 



This transformation of the fluid blood into the 

 solid body is called solidification. 



Now this is the way in which all the solid parts of 

 your body are formed and maintained : every inch 

 of it, therefore, once floated in your arteries, in the 

 shape and quality of blood : and you see how foolish 

 it is to suppose that there can be any real nutri- 

 ment in those strong drinks to which the multitude 

 attribute so many nourishing properties. What an 



