47^ . O F O L D A G E 



fofter and lefs folid than thofe of men, they 

 muft require more time in hardening to that 

 degree which occafions death : Women, of 

 courfe, ought to Hve longer than men. This 

 reafoning is confirmed by experience ; for, by 

 confulting the bills of mortality, it appears, that, 

 after women have paiTed a certain age, they live 

 much longer than men who have arrived at the 

 fime age. 



From what has been faid, it may alfo be con- 

 cluded, that men who have a weakly appear- 

 ance, and approach nearer to the conftitution of 

 women, fhould live longer than thofe who are 

 more robuft; and likewife, that perfons of either 

 fex, who are long before they arrive at their full 

 growth, fhould outlive thofe who advance more 

 rapidly to that point; becaufe, in this cafe, the 

 bones, cartilages, and fibres, are later in arriving 

 at that degree of folidity which is necelfary to 

 their deP:rudlion. 



This natural caufe of death is common to all 

 animals, and even to vegetables. An oak pe- 

 rifhes oaly becaufe the oldeft parts of the wood, 

 which are in the centre, become fo hard and 

 compadt, that they can receive no further nou- 

 rifhment. The moifture they contain being de- 

 prived of circulation, and not being replaced by 

 frefh fupplies, ferments, corrupts, and gradually 

 reduces the fibres of the wood into powder. 



The duration of life may, in fome meafure, 

 be computed by the time occupied in growth. 

 A plant or an animal that acquires maturity in 



a 



