E 33 1 
npon the component Particles of the mufcular Fibres 
themfelves, by inftantly increafing their attractive 
Virtue towards each, fo as to make them run clofer 
together, or, as it were, tip into Heaps, as long as 
fuch an additional attractive Medium is in the Fibres. 
LXXV. 
If we look back and confider the Nature of the 
Vis Rejlitutionis , or Elafticity in the mufcular Fi- 
bres, we (hall find, that the Caufe of that Property 
only wants to be increafed, in order to overcome 
the diftra&ile Force of the circulating Fluids, and 
the Refinance of the antagonift Mufcles: Whence it 
follows, that if fuch a Power was to be increafed 
in one Set of Mufcles, and not in their Antago- 
xiifts, thofe Mufcles, whofe elaftic or retracting Powc 
was increafed, would be abbreviated in their Length, 
whilft the others would be extended and lengthen'd. 
LXXVL 
When any Mufcle is freed from the Power of 
its Antagonift, by a Wound, &c. it immediately 
contracts, and is not to be extended again by the 
Power of the Will. Whence it has been faid, that 
Contraction is the proper State of the Mufcles, and 
tq which they always tend : But if we narrowly in- 
fpeCt into this Affair, we fhall find, that, when a 
Mufcle is contracted in this manner, it is no further 
fo than the elaftic reftitutive Property in the Fibres 
is concerned. We do not find that fuch a Mufcle 
is indurated, ox its Belly fwoln like unto what it is in 
E * vo- 
