62 COMPLEXION. 



itself, but, cemented together in thousands, they make 

 up the tough epidermis, as we see it covering a blister. 

 The cells, #, near the surface, exposed to the air and to 

 wear and tear from rubbing against the clothes and 

 other things, become different from the deeper cells, b. 

 The outside part of the epidermis is in fact dead, and is 

 being constantly shed and got rid of. Sometimes many 

 cells come off together, as seen in the "peeling" of the 

 skin after an attack of measles, or in the rolls of matter 

 which a rough towel rubs off after a warm bath. These 

 outer cells make what is known as the horny layer of the 

 epidermis. It may be compared to a very thin sheet 

 of india-rubber covering the body. 



6. The deeper cells of the epidermis are kept moist 

 and well nourished by a colorless liquid which exudes 

 from the blood-vessels,/,^-, of the dermis beneath them. 

 They grow and divide, and thus make new cells, which in 

 turn are pushed to the outside to build the horny layer. 

 Beneath a blister, some of the deepest epidermic cells 

 remain sticking on the dermis. Being well nourished, 

 they multiply very fast and soon restore the whole 

 thickness of the cuticle, so that in two or three weeks no 

 trace of the blister remains. 



7. The Complexion is due to the color of the deepest 

 cells of the epidermis. In persons of blond or fair 

 complexion, these cells contain very little dark coloring 



How is the outermost part of the epidermis worn away and renewed ? 

 What does a rough towel rub off the skin after a bath? To what may 

 the outer layer of the epidermis be compared ? 



6. Describe the life-history of the deeper cells of the epidermis. 

 How is the epidermis restored after it has been removed by a blister? 



7. How does the epidermis of a blond differ from that of a bru- 

 nette? How does sunlight affect the epidermis? Why is the scar of 

 a deep wound white ? 



