282 DETAILED SYNTHESIS. 



and while taking place, was reported to the mind ! It would be neces- 

 sary to wait till the voice was heard before it would be known whether 

 the required contraction had exactly taken place. 



693. THE ACTION OF THE MUSCLES is so IMPORTANT 

 to their health, and that of all parts of the body, it is 

 ALSO NECESSARY that they should produce sensations of 

 discomfort when improperly used, either too much or 

 too little, and sensations of comfort when they are prop- 

 erly used or allowed their required rest. 



694. The Muscles are doubtless, or at least can be, 

 greater SOURCES OF COMFORT OR DISCOMFORT than all 

 other parts of the body taken together. 



695. But THE MUSCLES, AS ESPECIAL ORGANS OF 

 SENSE for the acquisition of knowledge, are also of 

 more advantage than all the other organs collectively. 



696. Remark. In fact, it will be seen that two of the most impor- 

 tant portions of knowledge obtained through the eye and ear are depend- 

 ent on sensations excited by muscles used hi their construction, 



697. THE MUSCULAR SENSE is USED in ascertaining 

 the densities of objects, their force, configuration, size, 

 and the adhesiveness of surfaces, to measure distances, 

 angles, etc. 



698. Him. The muscles of the arm will point out the position 

 where an amputated part of the body would be, if it had remained, 

 as accurately as the most exact measurement would do. 



699. THE MUSCULAR SENSE COMES INTO USE the ear- 

 liest of the senses, and fades the earliest: the knowledge 

 it gives us being our first requirement, and most rudi- 

 mentary, its utility is soonest completed. 



700. HOW THE NERVES OF SENSE COMMENCE IN THE 



MUSCLES is not yet a settled question, nor how they are 

 acted upon. Whether the simple pressure of the con- 

 tracting muscular fibre upon the nerve-fibre is all that is 

 necessary, or whether the commencement of the nerve- 

 fibre is furnished with a corpuscle that is acted upon by 



698 - what -? 694. What arc ? 695. What are ? 697. How is ? 

 698. What can muscles of urin do ? 699. When does ? 700. How do ? 



