[ 346 ] [Book IX. 



CHAP. XXXIV. 



M U S C U I, A R M O T I O N. 



Jajuirj ivijef&er any Thing equivalent to mufcular Motion is to be- found 

 in the 'ether Parts cf Creation. Different tiypothcfes concerning ih$ 

 Caufe of mufcular Motion. Its Dependence en the Wi]l.*Cantra3ilt 

 Power of Mufcles after Death. ^Extent of the Contraction of 

 Mufcles. Advantage from the Obliquity of certain Mufcles. Infer- 

 tion of the Tendons . Force of Muffles. 



THE power of contraction, with which the 

 mufclcs of animals are endued, and by which 

 they perform all the motions of the body, is different 

 from any property inherent in any other kind of 

 matter. But though the moft remarkable examples 

 of mufcular contraction are obferved among animals, 

 yet we are by no means authorized to conclude, that 

 the vegetable kingdom is wholly deftitute of fimilar 

 powers ; on the contrary, the expanfion and contrac- 

 tion of the flowers and leaves of plants, according to 

 the degree of heat, and the circulation of their fap, are 

 flrong arguments in favour of the opinion that they 

 are furnifhed with organs truly mufcular; and the 

 convulfive motions excited by touching the ftamina 

 of certain plants feem to place this matter beyond 

 difpute. 



Under the head of anatomy, the general outlines 

 of the flruclure of the mufcular organs have been 

 already confidered ; but nothing further was advanced 

 on the prefent fubject, than that mufcles are con- 

 tra clile'mafles compofed of numerous minute, and in 



general 



