

218 MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 



./?. No; it is that portion of it which combines with the 

 peculiar muscular texture. 



Q. Why do you suppose that to be the case? 



Jl. Because in asphyxiated animals while black blood 

 circulates, the muscular colouring substance does not be- 

 come black; and because in many parts which have mus- 

 cular fibres, red blood circulates freely, yet does not co- 

 lour the fibres. It is not the mere circulation of red blood 

 which colours the fibres. Another reason is here, that 

 in some animals in which red blood circulates, the muscles 

 are white. 



Q. In what class of diseases do the muscular vessels 

 allow the escape of blood? 



/?. In diseases of debility; never in those of increased 

 activity. 



Q. Whence are the nerves of the muscles of animal life 

 derived ? 



/?. Almost entirely from the brain and spinal marrow; 

 if there are exceptions, you will find that even there the 

 brain sends a part of the nerves. 



Q. Are the muscles abundantly supplied with nerves? 



&. As much so as any other parts. The great nervous 

 trunks run in the direction of the flexors. 



Q. Are the flexor or extensor muscles the strongest? 



#. Evidently the flexors; in hysteria, in infantile, and 

 all other involuntary spasmodic motions, the flexors pre- 

 dominate. So they do in old people; under all circum- 

 stances the motions of the flexors are most powerful. 



