136 MECHANISM OF THE MUSCLES. 



order to have a greater length in a less compass, the 

 cord of the main muscle makes an angle. This, so 

 far, answered the end ; but, still further, it makes an 

 angle, not round a fixed pivot, but round a loop form- 

 ed by another muscle ; which second muscle, when- 

 ever it contracts, of course twitches the first muscle 

 at the point of inflection, and thereby assists the ac- 

 tion designed by both ;" the main muscle and the 

 loop muscle act at the same time, and thus conspire 

 in the operation of drawing over the curtain. 



B. One can hardly realize -that this is a descrip- 

 tion of a natural structure. We acknowledge a Cre- 

 ator indeed, and must expect to discover the proofs 

 of a Creator in our examination of his works ; but 

 yet the devoutest reception of the truth hardly seems 

 to prepare us for observing without surprise, such 

 actual demonstrations of skill as we perceive testify- 

 ing to the existence, agency, and wisdom of the De- 

 ity in every object around us. 



T. Does the motion of the muscles and tendons 

 always depend upon our will ? 



A. It is happy they do not in every instance. 

 The muscles immediately connected with life, or 

 which move the vital organs, are independent of our 

 will. They act, as far as we can perceive, of their 

 own accord. We move the hand by our own choice, 

 and its motion is never wanted, but when we are able 

 to will it. But, as Paley says, " we should have enough 

 to do, if we had to keep our hearts beating, our lungs 

 in motion, and our stomachs at work. Did these 

 things depend upon our attention they would leave us 



