The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-17

Ours Give S .


"Chambers' Information for the People
contains n long article on the Human Body
from which we extract the following interest
ing passage:
"Alun surpasses all other animals in TIN
height and proportions of tho forehead, nnt
in tho mass of brain in the upper purt of tho
skull. In the human head, the lower par
OF the face bears smaller proportion TO the
forehead than in brutes. The face is placed
in nearly perpendicular line with the fore
head, instead ofprojectng outwards into 1
snout, us in the lower animals. The brute
face is merely suited for the purpose of ami
NAL wants and for defence; the jaws are long
and narrow, supplied with thick, strong mus
cles, and short teeth; there is not the elevated
nose which in man forms n distinguishing
fcature-the arched eyebrows, the eXqui-
sitely formed lips, and the round chin; above
all, there is not that play ofvaried expression,
that air Of intelligence, and that Understandable
etnanation ola rational mind, that ray of di-
vlnity, at the appearance of which tho most
wild and ferocious THE brute creation are
awed and subducd. But, besides, the Crca-
tor seems to have allotted characteristic eXtcr-
nal signs to express the passions of the mind,
that in social life man might not easily inn
pose on his fellow man; for he various mus
cles ofthe face express the several passions
of the mind so faithfully, that they may even
be represented in painting. This is said TO
be the natural expression, and would appear
to be understood even by animals for a dog,
OH looking TO the countenancc of his master,
easily recognizes the mute expression Of
commentator or dissatisfaction. From the
action of these muscles being so often re-
peated, physiognomy arises; the action of
the prevailing muscles fixes an enduring eX-
preston OH the features; and thus trnces of
frequent anger often remain in the countCn-
ancc after the passion lselfis gone Off With
the power ofspeech and reason, man has Ill
so the means Of expressing his feelings and
passions by laughter and weeping, manifesto
tons which arc not found in the lower ami
mails. Weeping proceeds from deep emo
ton of the mind, and seems all effort of ma
ture to relieve the system of grief 1t usual
" begins with deep inspirations, and is finish
ed with deep long drawn expiration, which
is Immediately followed by an inspration.--
When moderate, it certainly relieves the dis
tress arising from grief Laughter has its5rise
from some ludicrous ideas impressed upon
the mind, and would seem TO uriso directly
from Il sort of Utilization conveyed TO the
branches of certain internal nerves, probably
those ofthe diaphragm; Immediately to this
succeeds number Of Imperfect inspirations,
aud which seem to be checked by the con-
traction of the CLOTHS in the throat or larynX.
Laughing in Il moderate degree may be con-
ducive 10 health, as it gives impulse to and
ultimately promotes the circulation; carried
to excess, however it may prove dangerous,
from accommodating too much blood in the
lungs Sneezing consists of one deep inspi-
ration, succeeded by powerful single eXpi-
ration, aud seems to consist of Il convulsive
effort Of the muscles of breathing to throw
off some case of irritation in the sensitive
membrane ot'the uostrlS. Tho common hc-
cup is a spasmodic action ofthe muscles of
the stomach ITSELF Some of the causes by
which our mental happiness is either in
creased or diminished, proceed entirely from
the bodily sensations. ANY gentle stimulus
applied TO nerve seems TO cause feeling
ofpleasure; strong stimuli, or causes disturb
ing seriously the natural condition, produce
pain. Itching is akin 10 pleasure. and in both
cases the flow Of blood is increased into the
part in which either pleasure or utilization is
perceived; but when farther increased, it de-
generates into pain, or excessive sensations
in the nerves. Anger violently eXciteS the
motion otthe spirits, increases the action of
the heart, the frequency Of the pulse, and the
strength otthc muscles; forces the blood into
the extreme vessels, and sometimes even
bursts the smaller vessels themselves; pas
sions also increase the secretion Of bile
Grief weakens the strength of the nerves
and the activity of the heart, retards the
pulse. destroys the appetite, and frequently
produces puleness, looseness of the bowels,
and those low and lingering diseases that
take their rise from an interruption of the Sc
creting glands, and a disease of their struc-
ture. Fear diminishes the force of the heart
weakens the muscular mQtions, relaXes the
whole system, and, if long continued, causes
II general sinking of the body. Excessive
terror often increases for the moment the
muscular strength, even to commissions; en-
cites the pulse; interrupt the course of the
blood: and in not a few instances occasions
sudden death. Love, hope, and JOY, promote
all the salutary actions of that body, gently
quicken the pulse, promote circulation, in
crease the appetite, and aid the cure of dis
eases. Excessive and SUDDEN transports JOY
however, often prove fatal, by increasing the
motion ofthe blood, and exciting a fit ofapo-
plexy. Shame in peculiar manner retains
the blood in the face, as if the veins were OBJ
structcd when felt in an extreme degree, it
has also been known to prove the cause of
sudden DEATH"
HoosIER WEDDING. The ceremony ofty-
ing the nuptia knot is very much simpIified
out in the iIoosier State as the following will