MUSCULAR ACTION CONSTANTLY NECESSARY. 2 IT 



Emily. And it is by arranges en :s of this kind, entire- 

 ly mechanical in their 

 nature, that the mus- 

 cles exert their pow- 

 er, and produce those 

 varied movements re- 

 quired in the loco- 

 motion of the body. 

 The study of the ani- 

 mal system might 

 give a lesson to the 

 mechanic, as well as 

 to the philosopher 

 the man of books. 



Dr. B. Not only 

 are the movements 

 of the body produced 

 in this manner, but 

 also the various atti- 

 tudes which we as- 

 sume, require the ac- 

 tion of a certain se- 

 ries of muscles. 



Emily. That mus- 

 cular action is neces- 

 sary in running walk- 

 ing, &ic. is obvious 

 enough, but certain- 

 ly you do not mean to say that in standing still, or lying 

 down, there is any exertion of muscular power ? 



Dr. B. You think then, that the body is so con- 

 structed, that when placed on its feet, it will stand without 

 support or exertion. Do you imagine that a lifeless body 

 would stand on its feet without support ? 



Emily.- I acknowledge I am wrong, but still I do not 

 perceive how this exertion is made, which keeps the 

 body upright. 



Dr. B. It is true that the human body is coHstructed 

 19 



