ASTR. You spoke of the absolute _senselessness_ of trance; and yet there were some hints of the awakening power of fear. Is this consistent? EV. I expected your objection. In the cases of perfect catalepsy, the brain is not conscious of its mind, or if the mind be active, there is no _assurance of its activity_. But, as its faculties are awakened, it usually begins to work exactly where it left off;—one of the most imposing proofs, both of a separate existence during life, and of our bodies’ _unconsciousness_ of this transient disunion. ASTR. I may own, Evelyn, that your illustrations of our questions, in despite of some _straining_ at explanation, carry, on _many_ points, conviction to my own mind, but not on _all_. There is another question equally interesting with the former. _How is vitality preserved during this protracted abstinence?_ EV. Remember, dear Astrophel, my confession, that there _are_ inexplicable mysteries. But, to the point of your last question. We are aware of the long period during which the body may fast after shipwreck, or beneath a fallen cliff, or even on the incarceration of animals for the purpose of experiment. Thus Captain Bligh, and seventeen persons, sailed four thousand miles in an open boat, with a small bird occasionally for the food of all. The Juno’s crew, wrecked off Aracan, existed twenty-three days without food; and the wreck of the Medusa is fresh in our memories. Here the body _feeds on its own fat, shrinking_ until that supply is lost, and then it dies. I might relate to you the very impressive stories of Anne Moore, of Tutbury; of Janet M’Cleod, told by Dr. Mackenzie; and many strange facts related by Dr. Willan, Sir William Hamilton, and others. I might refer you to legends, of which I can scarcely press for your belief. As the strange but authenticated story of Anna Garbero, of Racconiggi, forty miles from Turin, who existed without nutrition for two years, becoming like a shrivelled mummy. And that of Eve Hergen, who existed thirteen years upon the odour of flowers! But even with that incredulous frown of Astrophel’s, and that faint smile of thine, fair Castaly, let me at once to my explanations. In _natural_ sleep the functions of the body are impeded. One of these is digestion. As there is little waste of the system there is little necessity for repletion, and life can be supported by a _very slight_ action of the heart, a minute current of blood; like the slender vitality of infants, who, even in a state of health, seem frequently scarcely to breathe. The circulation is materially influenced in sleep, the pulse being slower and more feeble than during waking; the relaxation of the _cutaneous_ vessels inducing frequent perspiration, especially in debilitated systems, and in the last stages of _adynamic_ fevers.