THE MUSCULAR TISSUE. 143 



cial are immediately beneath the skin, and arranged side 

 by side, while the deep surround the bones and occupy the 

 interior of cavities. 



The color of muscles is red, varying in intensity in dif- 

 ferent muscles, and in different individuals. The red color, 

 however, onlyapplies to the voluntary muscles; for the 

 involuntary, as those of the intestinal tube, bladder, &c., 

 are exceedingly pale, and, in some of the lower animals, the 

 whole muscular system is completely colorless. The color 

 is thought to be independent of the blood circulating in 

 their vessels; and the bright red of those muscles subject 

 to the control of the will, is an invariable evidence of both 

 vigor and activity. 



The consistence of muscles varies in different individuals, 

 and in the same individual at different times, according 

 as the system is healthy or diseased. In some they are 

 soft and easily torn; in others they are not only firm 

 and resisting, but for some time after death remain rigid. 

 Their size also varies, from the extremely delicate mus^ 

 cles of the face, to the powerful glutens maximus of the 

 hip. The course or direction of muscles is essential to a 

 correct knowledge of their several actions, and of the 

 proper method of reducing dislocations. Every muscle 

 has an axis or middle line, in which its fibres centre or 

 take effect, and should, says M. Cruveilhier, be studied 

 with special reference to the axis of the limb, or lever of 

 which they are the moving power. 



The number of muscles varies in different animals, and in 

 proportion to the variety, and the extent of motion, each 

 has to perform. The number in man is not agreed upon 

 by anatomists. Prof. Chausier makes 368, Paxton 52T, 

 w.hile others make 450 ; 400 is considered a fair average 

 number. The cause of this disagreement is owing to the 

 fact that some muscles are divided into two or more, while 

 others think they should be considered but as one. 



The names given to muscles, are derived from a variety 

 of circumstances, as their uses, attachment, direction, figure, 

 composition, size, &c. Examples of names from uses may 



