Chap, xi.] OF ALIMENTATION IN GENERAL. 177 



Labillardifere, the New Caledonians ate a white and friable 

 steatite, etc., but only in time of famine. 



"We may certainly admit that the human stomach, like that of 

 the earthworm, can separate certain mineral substances from 

 organic remains and from salts, but in very small quantity, and 

 it is prQbable that here geophagy only plays a fictitious alimen- 

 tary part. It simply distends the stomach, neutralizes more or 

 less its gastric juice, mechanically deadens the feeling of hunger, 

 as carbonic acid, for example, or any inert gas does. 



