88. 2. By groups: there is the earth element described under the twenty aspects
(modes) beginning with head hairs, body hairs, and also the water element
described under the twelve (modes) aspects beginning with bile, phlegm, etc.
Now, as to these:
Colour, odour, taste, and nutritive
Essence, and the four elements—
From combination of these eight
There comes the common usage head hairs;
And separately from these eight30
There is no common usage head hairs.
Consequently, head hairs are only a mere group of eight states. Likewise,
body hairs, [365] and the rest. A component here that is kamma-originated is a
group of ten states, [that is to say, the former eight] together with the life faculty
and sex. But it is on account of respective prominence [of stiffenedness or
cohesion] that it comes to be styled “earth element” or “water element.” This is
how they should be given attention to “by groups.”
89. 3.
By particles: in this body the earth element taken as reduced to fine dust
and powdered to the size of the smallest atom31 might amount to an average doóa
measure full; and that is held together32 by the water element measuring half as
much.