THE BRAIN. 235 



which are the seat of mind, and which make us 

 intelligent and sentient creatures, that wisdom and 

 care are most conspicuous. 



The brain is at once the most important and 

 most delicate portion of our system ; and to guard 

 it from injury, it is shut up in a bony case consist- 

 ing of many pieces curiously fastened together, 

 and strengthened by ridges of bone. 



The skull in which it is contained, is not only 

 thus fortified, but its cavity is divided by strong 

 webs, on which the different parts of the brain are 

 supported. No accident of any ordinary kind can 

 reach it, and nothing but falls from considerable 

 heights, or heavy blows with some hard instru- 

 ment, can break through its walls. Were it other- 

 wise, we should be liable to injuries from numerous 

 causes, which would either destroy us, or make us 

 miserable objects for the whole of our lives. 



The substance of the brain is soft and white, and 

 is arranged in the most curious manner. It is 

 divided into two portions : one occupying the front 

 and upper part of the head, and called the cerebrum, 

 or proper brain; and the other the lower and back 

 part, and called the little brain. 



It is more copiously supplied with blood than 

 any other part of our body, for though it seldom 

 weighs more than three pounds, one sixth of all 

 the blood passes through it. From its lower sur- 

 face are given off in regular pairs those white cords 

 called nerves, which we have seen running in all 

 directions through the body. 



