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XXlV. On miiicular Motion. By Anthony Carlisle, 

 Esq. F.R.S.: hi/ig the Croonian Lecture, Read before 

 the Roijal Society Novemher Q, 1804. 



Animal physiology has derived several illustrations and 

 additions from the institution of this lecture on muscular 

 motion, and the details of anatomical knowledge have been 

 considerably augmented by descriptions of muscular parts 

 before unknown. 



Still, however, many of the phaenomena of muscles re- 

 main unexplained, nor is it to be expected that anv sudden 

 insulated discovery shall solve such a variety of complicated 

 appearances. 



Muscular motion is the first sensible operation of animal 

 life: the various combinations of it sustain and carry on 

 the multiplied functions of the largest animals : the tem- 

 porary cessation of this motive faculty is the suspension of 

 the living powers, its total quiescence is death. 



By the continu-ince of patient, well-directed researches, 

 it is reasonable to expect much important evidence on this 

 subject ; and, from the improved state of collateral branches 

 of knowledge, together with the addition of new sources 

 and methods of investigation, it may not be unreasonable 

 to hope for an ultimate solution of these phaenomena, no 

 less complete and consistent than that of any other deside- 

 ratum in physical science. 



The present attempt to forward such designs is limited 

 to circumstances which are connected with "muscular mo- 

 tion, considered as causes, or rather as a series of events, 

 ail of which contribute, more or less, as conveniencies or 

 essential requisites to the phenomena; the details of n)us- 

 cular applications being distinct from the objects of this 

 lecture. 



No satisfactory explanation has yet been given of the 

 slate or changes wliieh obtain in muscles during their con- 

 tractions or relaxations; neither are their corresponding con- 

 nections witli the vascular, respiratory, and nervous systems 

 ■^utficieiitly traced. These suljjects are therefore open for 

 the prcsxMit intiuiry; and althoutih I may totally fail in this 

 attempt to elucidate any one of the subjects proposed, ne- 

 vertheless I shall not esteem my labour useless, or the time 

 of the Royal Society altogether unprofitably consumed, if 

 I succeed in pointing out the way to the future attainment 

 of knowledge so dccjily interesting to mankind. 



The muscular parts of animals arc most frecjuently com- 



