heroism
(1) Some history behind the fountain of youth - It was not merely the passion of searching for new countries that prompted Ponce de Leon to undertake this voyage; he was influenced by one of those visionary ideas, which at that time often mingled with the spirit of discovery and rendered it more active. A tradition prevailed among the natives of Puerto Rico, that in the isle of Bimini, one of the Lucayos, there was a fountain of such wonderful virtue as to renew the youth and recall the vigor of every person who bathed in its salutary waters. In hopes of finding this grand restorative, Ponce de Leon and his followers ranged through the islands, searching, with fruitless solicitude and labor, for the fountain, which was the chief object of their expedition. That a tale so fabulous should gain credit among simple uninstructed Indians is not surprising. That it should make any impression upon an enlightened people appears, in the present age, altogether incredible. The fact, however, is certain; and the most authentic Spanish historians mention this extravagant sally of their credulous countrymen. (2) The Skin - Cells in the outer layer of the skin-the epidermis-die faster than they can be replaced with fresh cells coming up from below. This leads to thinning and wrinkle formation. Furthermore, these new cells become increasingly disorganized. In the layer just below-the dermis-strength is supplied by collagen fibers. But with increasing age, the formation of cross-links between these molecules renders them less flexible. Over the years, there is a stiffening of the skin’s elastin, the protein that gives skin the flexibility. Sebaceous and sweat glands become less active, making the skin more vulnerable to drying out and overheating. In the fatty layer beneath the dermis-the hypodermis-the total number of fat cells declines, but they accumulate in particular areas resulting in bags under the eyes, enlarged ear lobes and a double chin.