CHAP. IIII. Of the Eye-lids and Eye-browes.
BEcause wee have fallne into mention of the Eye-lids and Eye-browes, and * 1.1 because the order of dissection also requires it, we must tell you what they are, of what they consist, and how and for what use they were framed by nature. Therefore the Eye-browes are nothing els, than a ranck of haires set in a semi∣circular forme upon the upper part of the orbe of the Eye, from the greater to the * 1.2 lesser corner thereof, to serve for an ornament of the body and a defence of the eyes against the acrimony of the sweat falling from the forehead.
But the Eye-lids on each side two, one above and another below, are nothing els * 1.3 than as it were certaine shuttings appointed and made to close and open the eyes when need requires, and to containe them in their orbes. Their composure is of a * 1.4 musculous skin, a gristle and haires set like a pale at the sides of them to preserve the eyes when they are open, chiefly against the injuries of small bodyes, as motes, dust & such like. These haires are alwaies of equall and like bignesse, implanted at the edges of the gristly part, that they might alwaies stand straight and stiffe out. They are not thick, for so they should darken the eye. The gristle in which they are fastened is encompassed with the pericranium stretched so far before it produce the Coniuncti∣va. It was placed there, that when any part thereof should be drawne upwards or downewards by the force of the broad muscle or of the two proper muscles, it might follow, entirely and wholy by reason of its hardnes. They call this same gristle, espe∣cially * 1.5 the upper, Tarsus. The upper and lower eye-lid differ in nothing, but that the upper hath a more manifest motion, and the lower a more obscure; for otherwise nature should have in vaine encompassed it with a musculous substance.