A N D D E A T H. 477 



wrinkles and folds, which can never be effaced. 

 The wrinkles of the face partly arife from this 

 caufe ; but, in their prodiidion, they have a 

 relation to the form, to the features, and to the 

 habitual motions of the countenance. If we 

 examine the face of a man of 25 or 30 years of 

 age, we may trace the origin of ail the wrinkles 

 which will appear in old age, efpecially when he 

 laughs, cries, or makes any violent grimace. 

 All the folds which are exhibited in thefe actions 

 will in time become indelible wrinkles. 



In proportion as we advance in years, the 

 bones, the cartilages, the membranes, the flefh, 

 the fkin, and every fibre of the body, become 

 more folid, hard, and dry. Every part Ihrinks 

 and contrads ; and every movement is perform- 

 ed with flownefs and difficulty : The circulatioa 

 of the fluids is fluggiffi and interrupted; perfpi- 

 ration is diminiiLed ; the fecretions change ; di- 

 geftion becomes flow and laborious ; the nutri- 

 tious juices are lei's abundant, and, being rejec- 

 ted by parts which are already too denfe, they 

 communicate no fupplies. Thefe parts, there- 

 fore, may be regarded as already dead, becaufe 

 they have ceafed to receive nourifhment. Thus 

 the body dies by inches ; its motions gradually 

 decay ; life wears away by imperceptible de- 

 grees ; and death is only the lafl: term in the 

 feries. 



As, in women, the bones, the cartilages, the 

 mufcles, and every other part of the body, are 



fofter 



