282 Mayow 



CHAPTER VI 



OF THE MODE IN WHICH THE FIERI IS CONTRACT. 

 Also, OF THE MOTION OF CONTRACTING MUSCLES 



So far as to the motive particles by which muscular 

 contraction is effected : it remains to enquire how the 

 muscles are contracted by them. I cannot, for reasons 

 given above, admit that muscles are contracted by the 

 inflation of the fibres, a view approved by some. I 

 further add that the fibrils, which in our opinion 

 primarily undergo contraction, seem to be solid 

 bodies ; so that they are quite incapable of being 

 inflated. 



As to the contraction of the fibrils, as far as I can 

 make out from anatomical observation and from 

 mental conjecture, the fibrils in their contraction 

 seem to undergo contortion. Certainly this mode of 

 contraction of the fibrils, namely, by contortion, is 

 most in harmony with the constriction and hardness 

 of contracted muscles. Further, a contortion of the 

 fibrils is specially suitable for the very strong pull of 

 muscles which is sometimes exerted with quite 

 wonderful force. And to these things we further add, 

 that the motion of the nitro-aerial particles, by which 

 in our opinion muscular contraction is effected, is of 

 a sort fitted for twisting the fibrils, as, I think, will be 

 established by the following experiment. 



Let a very fine music string be grasped by the 

 fingers of both hands at a short distance from each 

 other, and be held a such a height above a lighted 

 candle that the string may be sufficiently heated but 

 not burnt. When this is done we shall feel the 

 string contract with a distinct enough force as it is 



