CHAP. II.] FORM, AND USES : TENDON. 91 



whereupon the bones to which the muscles' ends 

 are so attached are drawn towards each other, and 

 that which is farthest from the trunk is drawn for- 

 wards or backwards, at will. Thus, if we wish to 

 bend our elbow, the muscle which is situated just 

 above that joint, inside, contracts in length, and ex- 

 pands in breadth, till the fore-arm is brought up to 

 touch the muscle itself. Fighting men (boxers) ex- 

 hibit this muscle, as indicative of their strength ; 

 and horses of good action show the same sign at 

 every movement, principally at the haunches, whilst 

 with those that are over-fed, the muscles are con- 

 cealed in fat, that obstructs their movements ; 

 whereas, with those which are impoverished, the 

 muscles dwindle away, hang slack, and ill-support 

 the wonted action of the bones. When much com- 

 pulsory exertion, in hot weather, has exhausted the 

 secretions that keep these parts supple, aridity, and 

 stiffness follow, and the action becomes impeded, 

 difficult, and uncertain. 



All muscles of the limbs are long and narrow, 

 when quiescent ; those of the body are more wide 

 than long; in a good measure, squarish, oval, or 

 triangular, according to their uses. They have 

 been compared, with apparent good reason, to the 

 shape of flat fish, some being long and narrow, like 

 the sole, others wide, like the plaice. At their ends 

 muscles mostly terminate in a much stronger sub- 

 stance, closer in texture, inelastic, bending with 

 facility, and insensible, answering the same pur- 

 poses, but occupying much less room than muscle. 



