CHAPTER VI. 



"iHE SKIN. 



1. The Skin is the tough pliable membrane which sur- 

 rounds and protects the rest of the body. It is not 

 tightly fixed to the parts beneath it, but can glide over 

 them or be pinched up in a fold; as you may easily ob- 

 serve on the back of your hand. The loose tissue which 

 attaches the skin to parts under it contains a good deal 

 of fat, except in very thin people; thus the form is made 

 rounder and more beautiful than it would be if the skin 

 fitted close to every bone or, muscle beneath. This fat 

 also serves as a soft padding or cushion protecting the 

 deeper parts from injury by blows; and it checks loss of 

 heat from the internal organs, by forming a sort of 

 blanket around the body. In old age most of the fat is 

 apt to disappear; the skin then falls into wrinkles, be- 

 cause it is too loose to fit neatly; and extra clothing is 

 required to keep in the heat of the body. 



2. Structure of the Skin. The skin is made of two very 

 different layers. The inner layer is named the dermis, 

 and the outer the epidermis or cuticle. When your hand 

 or foot becomes blistered in consequence of some exer- 



1. What is the nature of the skin ? How is it attached to parts be- 

 neath ? Point out some uses of the fat under the skin. Why are old 

 people wrinkled? 



2. What two layers compose the skin ? How is a blister produced? 



