62 OF yiTAL MOTION. 



and of the fibrine of the blood cannot be altogether 

 without relation to the mystery of muscular action, 

 and it is necessary that the deductions which have 

 arisen during their consideration be borne in mind in 

 the inquiries upon which we now enter. 



I. OF MOVEMENTS SUCH AS ARE SEEN IN THE 

 COATS OF THE ALIMENTAKY CANAL. 



" Wherever the striated structure occurs, we wit- 

 ness an aptitude for quick, energetic, and rapidly 

 repeated movements ; while, where it is deficient, they 

 are sluggish, progressive, and more sustained."* Now 

 the non-striated muscles, which belong to the system 

 of organic life, are much more sparingly supplied with 

 nerves and bloodvessels than the striated muscles of 

 the voluntary system; and as the phenomenon of 

 contraction is most conspicuous in the variety most 

 sparingly supplied with nerves and vessels, it would 

 seem to be a legitimate inference that the nervous and 

 vascular influence, be this what it may, is intended to 

 counteract, rather than to induce, contraction. But 

 let us examine the subject in detail. 



* Todd and Bowman, op. cit vol. i. p. 185. 



