130 THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



by the greater freedom and velocity of motion 

 thereby obtained. Strength is sacrificed without 

 scruple to beauty of form or convenience of pur- 

 pose ; 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 ob- 

 jects proposed, whether it be exerted in laborious 

 efforts of the limbs and trunk ; whether employed 

 in balancing the frame, or urging it into quick pro- 

 gression ; or whether it be applied to direct the 

 delicate evolutions of the fingers, the rapid move- 

 ments of the organs of speech, or the more exqui- 

 site adjustments of the eye, or of the internal ear. 

 Amidst the endless combinations of machinery 

 exhibited in different parts of the animal kingdom, 

 although the mode of application be diversified in 

 ten thousand ways, the original power is still the 

 same in kind, and is regulated by the same phy- 

 sical laws ; and similar instruments are employed 

 in effecting this infinite variety of purposes, by the 

 all-wise and omnipotent Architect of animated 

 creation. 



