Part 23 (1/2)
”Ah!” she cried, ”Monsieur Roger is going to tell us that.”
”That? What?” asked Monsieur Dalize.
”Why, what asphyxia is,” answered Miette.
”Ah, my friend,” said Monsieur Dalize, turning to Roger, ”I will leave the word to you.”
”Very well,” answered Monsieur Roger. ”Asphyxia is,--it is----”
And as Monsieur Roger was seeking for some easy words in which to explain himself, Miette cried out, with a laugh,--
”Perhaps you don't know yourself,--you who know everything?”
”Yes, I know it,” answered Monsieur Roger, with a smile; ”but, in order to tell you, I must first explain to you what is the formation of the blood, and tell you something of oxygen and carbonic acid, and----”
”Well, tell us,” cried Miette, ”if you think it will interest us.--It will, won't it, Paul?”
Paul bent his head.
Monsieur Roger saw this gesture, and replied,--
”Well, then, I am going to tell you.”
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE AIR AND THE LUNGS.
”In order to live,” continued Monsieur Roger, ”you must breathe. You don't doubt that?”
”No,” said Miss Miette, seriously.
”Now, respiration consists in the absorption by the blood of some of the oxygen of the air and in breathing out carbonic acid. The oxygen, in combining with the carbon and hydrogen of the blood, excites a real combustion in the lungs, which results in the production of heat and in the exhalation of vapor and carbonic acid.”
Monsieur Roger was going to continue in the same scientific tone, when Monsieur Dalize remarked to him that his explanation did not seem to be at all understood by the children.
The latter, a little embarra.s.sed, held their tongues.
”You are right,” replied Monsieur Roger, addressing Monsieur Dalize; ”that is a silence which is certainly not very flattering. I intend to profit by this lesson by beginning once more at the beginning.”
”You are right,” said Miette.
”Well, then, respiration is the very important function whose object is to introduce air into our lungs.
”What are the lungs, and why is it necessary to introduce air into them?