HENRY THOMAS BUCKLE, - Horntip

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word varro, whom Qmintilian ftyles, the molt learned
of the Romans derives renes, as it the canals of the
obfcene humours—that is, the feed—arofe from them,
if we believe La6tantius and Ifidorus. or is there
any reafon that we fhould, as fome have done, under-
ftand the urine by the obfcene humour : for Ifidorus,
'explaining varro, lays—" The veins and marrow diftil
4i a thin fluid into the reins, which liquor, being re-
-" diffolved, runs from the reins in the heat of the
44 venereal a61, which no man in his fenfes can think
fpoken of the urine." The Hebrews, too, derive the
reins from a word that imports concupifcence.
And now, becaufe the reins are fituated in the loins
-near the fide, they, too, were believed to contribute
to venery and the work of generation. Thus, the
modefteft of women (according to fame), Penelope,
when the was to make a trial ot the ftrength and
robuft fides of her fuitors, brings them to the bow,
and bids them ftretch the ftring.
Penelope vim juvenum tentabat in Ara t:
Qui latus argueret, cornetts Arcus erat.
Her