MUSCULAR POWER. 141 



these losses, great as they necessarily are ; while, 

 on the other hand, full compensation is made 

 by the greater freedom and velocity of motion 

 thereby obtained. Strength is sacrificed with- 

 out scruple to beauty of form or convenience of 

 purpose ; and that disposition of the force, is 

 always adopted, from which, on the whole, the 

 greatest practical benefit results. Every where 

 do we find the wisest adaptation of muscular 

 power to the objects proposed, whether it be 

 exerted in laborious efforts of the limbs and 

 trunk ; whether employed in balancing the 

 frame, or urging it into quick progression ; or 

 whether it be applied to direct the delicate evo- 

 lutions of the fingers, the rapid movements of the 

 organs of speech, or the more exquisite adjust- 

 ments of the eye, or of the internal ear. Amidst 

 the endless combinations of machinery exhi- 

 bited in different parts of the animal kingdom, 

 although the mode of application be diversified 

 in ten thousand ways, the original power is still 

 of the same kind, and is regulated by the same 

 physical laws ; and similar instruments are em- 

 ployed in effecting this infinite variety of pur- 

 poses, by the all-wise and omnipotent Architect 

 of animated creation. 



