Minutes of Proceedings. 285 



This name was taken from that of the other well-known principle in 

 dynamics and physics, which was pointed out originally by Mauper- 

 tuis. The instances of this in organic and in inorganic nature, 

 though not identical in character, are analogous, and both may be 

 included under the head of the principle of Economy in the working 

 of nature. Dr. Haughton showed in various instances that the 

 arrangement and mutual position of the muscular fibres, the bones, 

 and the joints was such as to produce the required effect with the 

 least demand on the muscular tissue ; thereby allowing the amount of 

 that tissue, absolutely necessary for the purpose, to be at a minimum. 

 He believed that the operation of this - principle was, in certain 

 cases, modified by other requirements, e. g. that of beauty of form. 

 This subject had a particular attraction for Dr. Haughton, not 

 only from its purely scientific, but also from its teleological aspect, 

 as indicative of the operation of mind and purpose in nature. This 

 work cost him great and long- continued labour for its completion. It 

 was that on which he himself looked with most complacency, and by 

 which, especially, he hoped to be remembered in after-time. We may 

 here allude to his exposition in that book of the Law of Fatigue, from 

 experiments on others and on himself. It seems natural that he 

 should wish to learn more about a condition, of which, if we may 

 judge from his indefatigable activity, he must have had in himself 

 but an imperfect conception. We need not do more than mention 

 the numerous elementary works, some of which were written by him- 

 self, singly, and others with the collaboration of his lifelong friend, 

 the Hev. Professor Galbraith. These had a large circulation. 



On obtaining the degree of M.D. in Dublin University he was 

 appointed the Medical Eegistrar, and as such he applied himself with 

 his usual determination and energy to the reformation of the School of 

 Physic, and to the improvement of the management of Sir Patrick 

 Dun's Hospital, which is connected with that School. It may well 

 be imagined that this was a work of no little difiiculty, and calculated 

 to rouse opposition from those long accustomed to the old order of 

 things ; but his strenuous efforts were successful, and were the means 

 of raising the School to its present condition of high efficiency. He 

 was, moreover, largely instrumental in the organization of the School 

 of Engineering. He was co-opted Senior Fellow of Trinity College 

 in 1881. 



