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SKELLIGS 448 SKIN SKELLIGS, THE, three rocky islets off the S. W. coast of Ireland, W. of Bolus Head, county Kerry. There are here two lighthouses, visible 18 miles. SKELTON, JOHN, an English poet; born about 1460, probably in Norfolk. He studied at both Oxford and Cambridge, and from the former received the lau- reateship (then a degree in grammar). He was tutor to the Duke of York, after- ward Henry VIII. ; was rector of Diss and curate of Trompington in 1504, and was appointed orator regius to Henry VIII. His satirical attacks incurred the resent- ment of Wolsey, and Skelton had to take refuge in the sanctuary at Westminster, where the abbot afforded him protection till his death in 1529. His works com- prise among others the drama or morality of "Magnyfycence"; a satire on Wolsey, entitled "Why Come Ye Not to Courte?"; the "Tunning (that is the brewing) of Elynour Rummyng," a humorous picture of low life; and the "Boke of Phyllyp Sparowe." SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE, a lighthouse built on a rock forming part of an extensive reef lying about 12 miles S. W. from the wild isle of Tyree on the W. coast of Scotland. Lying in the fair- way of vessels making for the Clyde and- Mersey, it was long the terror of mari- ners. The reef is exposed to the mighty "fetch" of the Atlantic. SKI, large snow-shoes worn in Nor- way and other extreme N. countries. They are light in their construction and are about eight feet long. Without these it Would be impossible for the peasants to get about during the months of deep snow, when ordinary walking is impos- sible. The ski has become popular in Canada and in some parts of the United States, especially in the northwestern states, where there is a large Scandina- vian population. Here "ski running" has become a prominent feature of winter sport. SKIN, that membrane of variable thickness which covers the whole body externally and extends inward into all the natural openings, where it changes its properties, becoming soft and moist, and hence known as mucous membrane. The skin is generally described as composed of three layers: the cuticle, the rete mu- cosum, and the cutis vera, the last being the most internal. The cutis (dermis), or true skin, consists of two layers, of which the deeper is called the corium, and the more superficial, the papillary layer. The corium is composed of numerous fibers closely interlaced, and forming a smooth surface for the support of the papillary layer. It varies in thickness, being, as a general rule, thick on the ex- posed parts and thin on the protected. The papillary layer is soft, and formed by numerous papillae which cover its whole surface. It contains the expansions of the sensitive nerves. The rete muco- sum (mucous network) lies immediately over the cutis, and in some measure di- minishes the inequalities of its surface, being thicker between the papilla? and thinner on their summit. It is composed of minute, nucleated cells, and is almost pulpy in consistence. It is very slightly developed in the white races, but is very distinct and thick in those that are dark^ er, the cells, which are filled with a pig- ment, being that which gives the dark color to their skin. The cuticle, scarfskin, or epidermis is a disorganized scaly sub- stance, serving to protect from injury the more delicate cutis. It is thickest on the most exposed parts; and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet it consists of several layers. The skin performs various important functions. It is the seat of common sensation, and is fur- nished with numerous pores or openings which give passage to the sweat and other exhalations. It is in this way the great regulator of the heat of the body. The different diseases of the skin may be classified into eight orders, distin- guished from each other solely by the ap- pearances on the skin, as follows: (1) Papulae, or pimples, little elevations of the cuticle of a red color, and not containing any fluid, as in the earliest stage of smallpox. (2) Squamae, or scales, small, hard, thickened, opaque, whitish patches of unhealthy cuticle, as in leprosy. (3) Exanthemata, or rashes, superficial red patches varying in figure and size, and irregularly diffused over the surface, as in measles, scarlet fever, etc. (4) Bullae, blebs or miniature blisters, as sometimes occur in erysipelas. (5) Postulae, or pus- tules, circumscribed elevations of the cuticle containing pus, and having red in- flamed bases, as in the eruption of small- pox when at its height and maturity. (6) Vesiculae, or vesicles, small elevations of the cuticle, covering a fluid usually at first clear and colorless, but becoming afterward opaque and whitish, or pearly, as in cowpox and chickenpox. (7) Tuber - cula, tubercles, small, hard, superficial tumors, circumscribed and permanent, or, if they separate at all, it is only par- tially. (8) Maculae, spots or patches, aris- ing from excess or deficiency of the color- ing matter of the skin, and frequently occurring congenitally, or connected with some slight disorder of the digestive or- gans or of the general health.