ANIMAL LIFE ASSIMILATION. 



internal relations, tend to externalize the in- 

 ternal, to meet the incoming world, in defense, 

 attack and appropriation. These points we 

 may draw out a little. 



The outermost part of this external stage 

 of the organism is the Skin, or the corporeal 

 integument, close-fitting and protecting the 

 naked tissues underneath. It is in many re- 

 spects the contrast to the Bones in the pres- 

 ent division of Assimilation ; it does not hold 

 up but holds in ; still it has likewise a non-vital 

 element, especially in the nails and hair, and 

 it sloughs off the outermost cover of itself. 

 Thus the Skin divides into an inner layer 

 (dermis) vitally organized, and an outer layer 

 less vitally organized and wearing away into 

 the inorganic part (epidermis). 



The Skin besides its protective character, 

 is both absorbent and excretory, and it is 

 capable of a little round of nutrition in itself 

 with mouth and stomach. But outwardly it 

 is the dividing surface between the organism 

 and the elements; it outlines the individual 

 body in the world, holding and defending all 

 the other organs. Among mankind it is 

 colored variously, and this color of the skin 

 is the chief outer mark of the distinction of 

 races. 



Next in this sphere we place the system of 

 the Bones the framework of the Organism 



