150 STUDIES IN ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY: 



include the fibres) are of varying diameter, and we have 

 learned that (1) tension is in the inverse ratio to the surface 

 over which electricity is distributed, (2) electricity concen- 

 trates on points or projections, and (3) discharge begins 

 where tension is greatest. 



If we were making an artificial muscular fibre vre could 

 solve the problem of discharge or neutralisation of charge 

 by placing studs upon our conducting plates, as in Fig. 77, 

 because as electricity concen' 

 trates on points or projections, 

 and discharge begins where the 

 tension is greatest, the plates 

 would discharge when, by 

 attraction, they approached each other sufficiently. 



We could also vary the " pull " both as regards strength, 

 or velocity, and direction, first by varying the area of some 

 of the sarcomeres, and second by joining them up in group 8 

 in series or series-parallel, or parallel. 



That Nature does the first is obvious from Fig. 72 (B). 

 As regards the second, we are told that the nerve-fibres 

 of voluntary muscle pierce the sarcolemma and terminate 

 in end-plates, which are shown to connect up with different 

 groups of the sarcomeres of muscular fibre in the following 

 manner : 



Fig. 78. 



Not only is that so, but, if it were desired, the efferent 

 impulse could be converted to an afferent one at any point 



