ON MUSCULAR MOTION. 1^9 



VII. 



On miifcular Motion, ^j/ Anthony Carlisle, Efq, F. R. S, 

 being the Croonian Letmre, read, before the Roj/al Societj/, 

 November ^i ISOK 



/\NIMAL phj'fiolcg)' has derived feveral illuftrations and Introduaion. 

 additions, from the infiitntion of this le6lure on mufcular 

 motion ; and the details of anatomical knowledge have been 

 confiderably augmented by defcriptions of mufcular parts 

 before unknowri. 



Still, however, many of the phenomena of mufcles remain 

 unexplained, nor is it 16 be expe6led that any fudden infulat- 

 ed difcovery (liall folve fuch a variety of complicated appear- 

 ances. 



Mufcular motion Is the firft fenfible operation of animal Mufcular mo* 

 life : the various combinations of it fuflain and carry on the ^'°"' 

 multiplied functions of the largefl animals : the tempoi-ary 

 ceflation of this motive faculty is the fufpenfion of the living 

 powers, its total quiefcence is death. 



By the continuance of patient, well dire6led refearches, it is 

 reafonable to ekpecl much iinportant evidence on this fubjedt 

 and, from the improved /late of collateral branches of 'fenow- 

 ledge,' together with the addition of new fources; and methods 

 of inveftigation, it may not be unreafonable to hope for an 

 ultimate folution 6f thefe phenomena, no lefs complete, 

 and confident, than that of any other defideratum in phyfical 

 Tcience." nnUaT 



The prefent attempt to forward fuch defigns is'lihiTted to 

 circumftances which areconne6led with mufcular motion, con- 

 fidered as caiifes, or rather as a ferieis oF events, all of which 

 contribute, more or lefs, as conveniencies, or effentiairequi- 

 fites, to the phenomena; the details of mufcular applicatrbtis 

 being di(iiii6l from the objects of this ledure. ' ' 



No fatisfaftory explanation has yet been given of the ila<e Neither the 

 or changes which obtain in mufcles during their contractions '^^^^^'^^ '" . 



, . . , , . r I- mulcies during 



or relaxations, neither are their correiponding comiedlions adlion, nor their 

 with the vafcular, refpiratory, and nervous fyftems, fufficiently conneaions with 

 'traced. Thefe fubjects are therefore open for the prefent en- of ^^g fyfteni 

 quiry, and, allhougli I may totally fail in this atlempt to ela- have been ex- 



. » ' -J plained, 



cidale 



