342 INTEGUMENTS. 



indicated simply by a small black point, owing to the adhesion 

 of dirt to it: in this condition, when squeezed out, it assumes a 

 small vermicular shape. 



The Sebaceous Glands, properly speaking, are about the 

 size of a millet seed, of a light yellow colour, and are placed, 

 wherever they exist, immediately under the cutis vera. They 

 are particularly numerous under the skin of the mons veneris. 

 1 have not observed them so distinctly elsewhere. 



CHAPTER III. 



OF THE NAILS. 



THE nails (Ungues) supply the place of cuticle on the ex- 

 tremities of the fingers and toes, and may be considered as a 

 continuation of this membrane, because in maceration they 

 come off along with it. They correspond with the talons and 

 hoofs of the lower orders of animals. 



Each nail consists of a root, of a body, and of a free ex- 

 tremity, or that which projects and requires paring. The 

 root is about one-fifth of the length of the nail; is thin, soft, and 

 white, and is received into a fold or fossa of the true skin, 

 which is very distinct when the cuticle and nail are removed 

 together by maceration. The concave surface of the nail 

 adheres closely to the skin below, precisely as the cuticle does 

 in any other part of the body, and therefore may be loosened 

 by the same processes, as hot water and maceration. The 

 white part of the nail, at its root, is called the crescent, (lunula,) 

 and is said, by Mosely,* never to exist in the fingers of Africans 

 or of persons who have even a slight mixture of negro blood: 

 the latter opinion I am disposed to consider incorrect. This 

 appearance, however, does not depend upon any peculiar or- 

 ganization of the nai! itself at that part, but upon the cutis venv 

 belpw it, which being more vascular elsewhere, causes tLat 

 spot to Ipok white, the nail being semi-diaphanous and permit* 



* Diseases of 'Warm Climates. 



