Mifcellanea Curiofa. 1 7 7 



and lie in juxta-p option, by which their Cavities 

 are very much comprefs'd and ftreighten'drWheri 

 the Ribs are elevated, and the Lungs turgid with 

 Air, not only the Fibres, by which their Coars 

 in the oppcfite (late were contracted, are exten- 

 ded j but thc(e innumerable Vefleis, which ly- 

 ing before in lines almoft parallel upon one 

 another, comprefs'd one onother, making an 

 acute Angle at their Junctures, are divaricated 

 and feparated from each other, and make an 

 obtufe, whereby their Channels are wide- 

 ned. 



Thus a palfage is open'd to the Blood, from 

 the Right Ventricle of the JHfcart to the Left, 

 through the Lungs, to which it could not other- 

 wife pafs • and the * f <?ppofition , which the 

 Blood contain'd in J that Ventricle, muft. other-: 

 wife necelTariljKhave made to its Conftriction, 

 is taken off, and the Syftnle thereby facilita- 

 ted. 



Nor is that all. For -the Diajlole being 

 caused ( as I (hall in the Sequel {hew) by the 

 force of the Blood rufhing into the Ventricles, 

 this Ampliation and Extenfion of the Pulmo- 

 nary Artery is a fort of Cheeky or Counterpoife 

 to it, and prevents an endeavour towards two 

 conrrary Actions at once, which rauft necef- 

 farily fruftrate both. For the Heart being a 

 Springy^ CompreJJible Body, whofe proper Action, 

 which is Contraction, depends on the influx of 

 certain Fluids into its Fibers , or Subftance ; 

 and containing belides a Fluid in its Ventri- 

 cles, or great Cavities, in one of which is the 

 Moiith of this Artery, the action of this Vefc 

 fel muft in great meafure referable that of a 

 Syringe, whofe extremity is immersA] in Wa- 

 N ♦ ter, 



