ACQUIRINGFIRST-HANDKNOWLEDGE 453
of the individual. Idiots have very little phosphorus; shrewd
thinkers have much; and in the animal world, the degree of
consciousness and intelligence is in proportion to the
amount of phosphorus contained in the brain.
It is therefor e of great importance that the aspirant who
is to use his body for mental and spiritual work, should
supply his brain with the substance necessary for that
purpose. Most vegetables and fruits contain a certain amount
of phosphorus, but it is a peculiar fact that the greater
proportion is contained in the leaves, which are usually
thrown away. It is found in considerable quantities in grapes,
onions, sage, beans, cloves, pineapples, in the leaves and
stalks of many vegetables, and also in sugar-cane juice, but
not in refined sugar.
The following table shows the proportions of phosphoric
acid in a few articles:
100,000 PARTS OF:
Barley, dry, contain, of phosphoric acid ...............210 parts
Beans.................................................................. 292 ”
Beets.................................................................. 167 ”
Beets, Leaves of .................................................. 690 ”
Buckwheat........................................................... 170 ”
Carrots, dry......................................................... 395 ”
Carrots, Leaves of................................................ 963 ”
Linseed............................................................... 880 ”
Linseed, Stalks of................................................. 118 ”
Parsnips.............................................................. 111 ”
Parsnips, Leaves of............................................. 1784 ”
Peas................................................................... 190 ”
The gist of the preceding argument may be thus
succinctly stated:
(1) The body, throughout the entire period of life, is
subject to a process of consolidation.
(2) This process consists of the depositing by the blood
of earthy substances, principally phosphate and carbonate of