ACTION OF THE MUSCLES. 215 



itself must inevitably bring the bones nearer together, or 

 in other words, raise the arm. 



Emily. But only observe what a great loss of power 

 there is, in consequence of the tendon being inserted so 

 near the joint. How much easier the fore arm would 

 be raised, if the muscles were inserted nearer the hand. 



Dr. B. And most certainly it would have been so, 

 had the least possible expenditure of power been requi- 

 red ; but what is the loss of this little power to Him who 

 is the Source of all power ? An advantage is gained 

 by this arrangement which is absolutely necessary, and 

 which could have been obtained in no other way this 

 disadvantageous use of power is repaid by greater ve- 

 locity in the motion which it produces. 



Emily. True ; I perceive now that had the tendon 

 been inserted into the bone near the wrist, the hand 

 would have been raised much more slowly. 



Dr. B. And of course it would have been rendered 

 almost useless, since of all parts of the body, this re- 

 quires great rapidity in its motions. Now, you see a 

 very slight contraction of the muscle, (and the less it is, 

 the quicker it is performed) is sufficient to raise the 

 hand even up to the shoulder, though the part to which 

 the muscle is attached is moved through a very short 

 space. 



Emily. Another objection to the muscle being in- 

 serted into the wrist has just struck me, which I did not 

 observe before. When the fore arm is bent, the mus- 

 cle would rise up at the bend of the arm, and destroy 

 every thing like beauty or convenience. 



Dr. B. This shows forcibly, how in the mechanical 

 construction of the body, every arrangement conduces 

 to beauty, as well as utility. In every instance where 

 there is a loss of muscular power, we may be sure that 

 it is for some object which could have been obtained so 

 well in no other way. It is strikingly exhibited where 

 the loss of power arises from the obliquity of the muscles. 

 For instance, two bones are required to be brought to- 



