RAMBLES OF A GEOLOGIST. 285 



the arrangement in the scale of the Holoptychius Nobilissi- 

 mus. It consisted of its two well-marked tables of solid bone, 

 corresponding in their dermal character, the outer to the cu- 

 ticle, the inner to the true skin, and the intermediate cellular 

 layer to the rete mucosum ; but bearing an unmistakeable 

 analogy also, as a mechanical contrivance, to the two plates 

 and the diploe of the human skulL To the strengthening 

 principle of the two tables, however, there were two other 

 principles added. Cromwell, when commissioning for a new 

 helmet, his old one being, as he expresses it, " ill set," order- 

 ed his friend to send him a "fluted pot" i. e., a helmet ridged 

 and furrowed on the surface, and suited to break, by its pro- 

 tuberant lines, the force of a blow, so that the vibrations of 

 the stroke would reach the body of the metal deadened and 

 flat. Now, the outer table of the scale of the Holoptychius 

 was a " fluted pot" The alternate ridges and furrows which 

 ornamented its surface served a purpose exactly similar with 

 that of the flutes and fillets of Cromwell's helmet. The inner 

 table was strengthened on a different but not less effective 

 principle. The human stomach consists of three coats ; and 

 two of these, the outermost or peritoneal coat, and the middle 

 or muscular coat, are so arranged, that the fibres of the one 

 cross at nearly right angles those of the other. The violence 

 which would tear the compact sides of this important organ 

 along the fibres of the outer coat, would be checked by the 

 transverse arrangement of the fibres of the middle coat, and 

 vice versa. We find the cotton manufacturer weaving some 

 of his stronger fabrics on a similar plan ; they also are made 

 to consist of two coats ; and what is technically termed the 

 tear of the upper is so disposed that it lies at an angle of 

 forty-five degrees with the tear of the coat which lies under- 

 neath. Now, the inner table of the scale of the Holoptychius 

 was composed, on this principle, of various layers or coats, 

 arranged the one over the other, so that the fibres of each 



