THE MUSCLES. 29 



been tested by experiment. By determining the number 

 of pounds which an animal can drag upon a level surface, 

 and afterward comparing that with its own weight, we can 

 judge of its muscular force. It is found that man is able 

 to drag a little less than his own weight. A draught-horse 

 can exert a force equal to about two-thirds of his weight. 

 The horse, tnferefore, though vastly heavier than man, is 

 relatively not so powerful. 



10. Insects are remarkable for their power of carrying 

 objects larger and heavier than themselves. Many of 

 them can drag ten, and even twenty times their weight. 

 Some of the beetles have been known to move bodies more 

 than forty times their own weight. So far, therefore, from 

 it being a fact that animals have strength in proportion 

 to their weight and bulk, the reverse of that statement 

 seems to be the law. 



11. Physical Strength. The difference in strength, 

 as seen in different individuals, is not due to any original 

 difference in their muscles. Nature gives essentially the 

 same kind and amount of muscles to each person, and the 

 power of one, or the weakness of another, arises, in great 

 part, from the manner in which these organs are used or 

 disused. 



12. Many authors complain of the physical degeneracy 

 of men at the present day, as compared with past genera- 

 tions. There is room for doubt as to the correctness of 

 this statement. Certain experiments have recently been 

 made with the metallic armor worn seven hundred years 

 ago, by which it is found that any man, of ordinary height 

 and muscular development, can carry the armor and wield 

 the weapons of an age supposed to be greatly our superipr 

 in strength. When we consider that in those days, only 

 very strong men could endure the hardships of soldier-life, 



1 0. Power of insects ? Beetles ? Give the conclusion. 



11. Difference in strength of individuals ? How caused ? 



12. ComplailUMn relation to degeneracy? How true? How determined by 

 armor ? The fair supposition ? 



