78 
or THE MUSCLES. 
strings or wires. If the muscles which move the fingers 
had been placed in the palm or back of the hand, they 
would have swelled that part to an awkward and clumsy 
thickness. The beauty, the proportions of the part, would 
have been destroyed. They are, therefore, disposed in the 
arm, and even up to the elbow; and act by long tendons, 
strapped down at the wrist, and passing under the ligaments 
to the fingers, and to the joints of the fingers, which they 
are severally to move. [PI. XIII. fig. 1, 2.] In like man¬ 
ner, the muscles which move the toes, and many of the 
joints of the foot, how gracefully are they disposed in the 
calf of the leg, instead of forming an unwieldy tumefaction 
in the foot itself! The observation may be repeated of the 
muscle which draws the nictitating membrane over the eye. 
Its office is in the front of the eye; but its body is lodged 
in the back part of the globe, where it lies safe, [PI. IV. fig. 
2, 3,] and where it encumbers nothing.* 
V. The great mechanical variety in the figure of the 
muscles may be thus stated. It appears to be a fixed law, 
that the contraction of a muscle shall be towards its centre. 
Therefore, the subject for mechanism on each occasion is, 
so to modify the figure, and adjust the position of the mus¬ 
cle, as to produce the motion required, agreeably with this 
law. This can only be done by giving to different muscles 
a diversity of configuration, suited to their several offices, 
and to their situation with respect to the work which they 
have to perform. On which account we find them under 
a multiplicity of forms and attitudes; sometimes with 
double, sometimes with treble tendons, sometimes with 
none: sometimes one tendon to several muscles, at other 
times one muscle to several tendons. The shape of the 
organ is susceptible of an incalculable variety, whilst the 
original property of the muscle, the law and line of its con¬ 
traction, remains the same, and is simple. Herein the 
muscular system may be said to bear a perfect resemblance 
to our works of art. An artist does not alter the native 
* The convenience and beauty of the tendons seem only an ulterior 
object, their necessity and utility principally claim our attention. The 
force which a muscle possesses is as the number of the muscular fibres; 
but a limited numl of fibres only can be fixed to any certain point of 
bone destined to be . noved, therefore the contrivance is, to attach them 
to a cord, called a sinew or tendon, which can be conveniently conducted 
and fixed to the bone. If we are desirous of moving a heavy weight, 
we tie a strong cord to it, that a greater number of men may apply their 
strength. Thus a similar effect is produced—the muscular fibres are the 
moving powers, the tendons are the cords attached to the point to be 
moved.— Paxton . 
