270 ne Wisdom of GOD Part II. 



gether grind and fwallow fuch dry Meat as Hay 

 and Straw? Moreover, it is ufeful not only in 

 the Mouth, but in the Stomach too, to promote 

 Concodiion, as we have already noted. 



Sixthly y To the Mouth fucceeds the Windpipe^ 

 no lefs wonderful in its Conformation ; for be- 

 caufe continual Refpiration is neceflary for the 

 Support of our Lives, it is made with annulary 

 Cartilages, to keep it conftantly open, and that 

 the fides of it may not flag and fall together ; 

 and left, when we fwallow, our Meat or Drink 

 ihould fall in there and obftruft it, it hath a 

 ftrong Shut or Valve, call'd Epiglottis^ to cover it 

 clofe and ftop it when we fwallow: For the 

 more convenient bending of our Necks, it is not 

 made of one entire continued Cartilage, but of 

 many annular ones, join'd together by ftrong 

 Membranes, which Membranes are mufcular, 

 compounded of ftraight and circular Fibres, for 

 the more effedlual Contradion of the Windpipe 

 in any ftrong or violent Expiration or coughing; 

 and left the Afperity or Hardnefs of their Carti- 

 lages ftiould hurt the Oejophagus or Gullet, which 

 is tender, and of a fkinny Subftance, or hinder 

 the fwallowing of our Meat, therefore thefe an- 

 nulary Griftles are not made round, or entire 

 Circles ; but where the Gullet touches the Wind- 

 pipe, there to fill up the Circle, is only a foft 

 Membrane, which may eafily give way to the 

 Dilation of the Gullet ; and to demonftrate chat 

 this was defignedly done for this End and Ufe, 



fo 



