ANIMAL LIFE ASSIMILATION. 



into existence, then rise from its horizon- 

 talism (or subservience to gravitation), to 

 perpendicularism. But is this last the final 

 form? 



The Trunk is on the whole the least pro- 

 tected part, the head is the best protected, 

 the Extremities are the active protectors as 

 well as the assailants. Still the skeleton can- 

 not work of itself, the bony fortress must be 

 manned with a working garrison. 



The immediate movers of the Bones are the 

 Muscles in which are stored the energy for 

 such purpose. To every bone are attached 

 two or more muscles for directing it back and 

 forth and perchance otherwise. Five hun- 

 dred and twenty-six skeletal muscles are 

 found in the human body. Now this muscular 

 energy does not start and go of itself ordi- 

 narily; it is stored and has to be kindled, like 

 a piece of coal ; or it must be oxidized, when it 

 too gives off heat. Blood is the agent. 



But the control of this process lies in the 

 nerves which penetrate these numerous mus- 

 cles everywhere, some of which, especially 

 those of the Extremities, are under the con- 

 trol of the will, while others are involuntary. 

 Thus the Muscles are an intermediate prin- 

 ciple, the directive implement of the whole 

 organism, which we may liken to a system 

 of pulley ropes ; these must have something to 



