MUSCULAR POWER. 129 



exact point ; and, again, another is provided for 

 making the proper focal adjustments. Many pa- 

 rallel cases occur in the mechanism of the animal 

 frame ; one set of powerful muscles being employed 

 for the larger movements, and another set provided 

 for the accurate regulation of the more delicate in- 

 flexions and nicer positions. This we shall find 

 exemplified in the movements of the fingers, and 

 of many of the organs of the finer senses. 



In general, however, we may observe that the 

 mechanical expedients devised by Nature for ef- 

 fecting each particular purpose are characterised 

 by the most admirable simplicity. In this respect, 

 also, as well as in all others, we cannot fail to re- 

 cognise their infinite superiority over every corre- 

 sponding invention of man. 



" In human works, though labour'd on with pain, 

 A thousand movements scarce one purpose gain ; 

 In God's, one single can its ends produce, 

 Yet serves to second too some other use." Pope. 



We may generally observe, in the mechanism of 

 the joints, that the muscles are made to act, either 

 directly, or by means of their tendons, at a point 

 much nearer to the axis of motion than the resist- 

 ance to be overcome. With regard to the direct 

 force, therefore, it is evident that they must act at 

 a great mechanical disadvantage ; and this disad- 

 vantage is still farther increased by the obliquity 

 of the action with reference to the direction of the 

 motion. But the contractile power, which is inhe- 

 rent in the muscular fibre, is so enormous, as amply 

 to afford these losses, great as they necessarily are; 

 while, on the other hand, full compensation is made 



VOL. I. K 



