128 MECHANISM OF THE MUSCLES. 



ed lying one upon another, which not only increase 

 the muscular power, but which by sloping different 

 ways, balance each other's sidelong tendency. 



T. This single construction appears to me one 

 of the most striking evidences of design in the an- 

 imal frame. 



B. When the tendons, have occasion to make 

 a sudden bend, as those do which come down and 

 turn at the instep to raise the foot, what is to 

 prevent them from rising up whenever they shorten 

 and pull ? One would suppose the sinews would 

 spring off from the top of the foot, — which would 

 certainly be very awkward and unpleasant. 



T. What if you should be told there are cross 

 straps of ligament by which they are all confined 

 down ; exactly as a mechanic would do in a similar 

 case ? The straps are just under the skin and are 

 very slippery and smooth so as so bind the sinews in 

 their places, but allow them a free motion. The 

 tendons at the wrist are bound down in this manner 

 by a band resembling a lady's bracelet, as exhibited 

 in this figure. 



