A GOOD STARVE. 159 



the Succis, and others of that ilk began to exhibit 

 themselves as paying examples of the " Great Starve." 



The reason why water of all foods will preserve 

 life in the absence of every other form of nutriment 

 has been already given. We are composed largely 

 of water ; it enters into every tissue ; and it is needed 

 for the performance of every act of life. Hence water 

 asserting its importance thuswise in the body, comes, 

 with air, to rank as the paramount food. Clearly, 

 then, our good starve must mean and imply plenty of 

 water and plenty of air. The other foods may for a 

 time vanish away. The water will not supply the 

 waste of the body, nor will it prevent the body 

 feeding upon itself; but it will keep us going at low 

 pressure, and in the absence of all food, ordinarily 

 so called, will sustain us for many days. 



Water, then, is our great hope and succour in the 

 "good starve;" and it may be well to bear this fact 

 in mind if we contemplate at any time enjoying the 

 unusual luxury of experiencing a relief from the onerous 

 duty of finding out something fresh for the menu. 



