142 LECTURE IIL 



yield to the incumbent weight. By the 

 same muscles we are let down easily into 

 our chairs, and they are the agents which 

 raise us up again. 



There are those who, having by habit 

 preserved the motion of their joints to the 

 greatest extent, and of their muscles to 

 the greatest degree of action and yielding, 

 can lower themselves gradually so as to sit 

 upon their heels. These muscles therefore 

 are employed to break our fall, if it takes 

 place in the most dangerous direction back- 

 wards. The strong muscles in front of the 

 body, more potent from the lever with which 

 they operate, being attached far before the 

 centre of gravity, also concur in bringing 

 forwards the chest and head, and protecting 

 them from injury. We see children, when 

 in danger of falling backwards, by these 

 means suddenly sit down upon the ground. 

 Nature has also formed the lower limbs of 

 children, whose powers are feeble and un- 

 practised in balancing, so short as greatly 

 to diminish the risk of injury from falling. 

 Most young animals are formed with short 



