IN MEDICAL SCIENCE. 27 



into letters^ as we may call them, — the simple elements 

 by the combination of which Nature spells out succes- 

 sively tissues, which are her syllables, organs which 

 are her words, systems which are her chapters, and 

 so goes on from the simple to the complex, until she 

 binds up in one living whole that wondrous volume of 

 power and wisdom which we call the human body. 



The alphabet of the organization is so short and 

 simple, that I will risk fatiguing your attention by re- 

 peating it, according to the plan I have long adopted. 



A. Cells, either floating, as in the blood, or fixed, 

 like those in the cancellated structure of bone, already 

 referred to. Very commonly they have undergone a 

 change of figure, most frequently a flattening which 

 reduces them to scales, as in the epidermis and the 

 epithelium. 



B. Simple, translucent, homogeneous solid, such 

 as is found at the back of the cornea, or forming the 

 intercellular substance of cartilage. 



C. The white fibrous element, consisting of very 

 delicate, tenacious threads. This is the long-staple 

 textile substance of the body. It is to the organism 

 what cotton is pretended to be to our Southern States. 

 It pervades the whole animal fabric as areolar tissue, 

 which is the universal packing and wrapping material. 

 It forms the ligaments which bind the whole frame- 

 work together. It ftimishes the sinews, which are the 

 channels of power. It enfolds every muscle. It wraps 

 the brain in its hard, insensible folds, and the heart 

 itself beats in a purse that is made of it. 



