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so numerous they never interfere with each other. Sometimes the action of a muscle is needed where, if it

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Now

were placed, it would be quite inconvenient. mark the remedy. We could not have devised a better or more ingenious one if we had bestowed a great deal

58. Is the action of muscles ever required where their position would be inconvenient? How is this remedied?

of thought on the subject. The body of the musclewhich means the centre of the muscle, and is generally the largest part-is placed at a proper distance, and made to communicate, where the action is necessary, by slender strings or threads.

ance.

59. As every joint in the fingers, hands, and feet are moved by muscles, if the muscles had been placed in the palm or back of the hand, or in the feet, they would have been very unsightly, and very clumsy in appearThey are, however, situated in the arm, and act by long strings called tendons, which pass to the joints. These tendons are all clasped down at the wrist by a bracelet which nature has prepared under the skin to keep them in their place. In the same manner the muscles which move the toes and feet are placed along the leg, and are all confined by a little band at the ankle.

60. Without this wise provision the tendons would have sprung from their places every movement we made. Whatever part of the body we examine, we see the wisdom and goodness of our Creator; every part is so nicely fitted and adapted to the purpose for which it is used.

Where there is a muscle needed, there we find it arranged in the most convenient and beautiful manner. Suppose instead of the joint at the shoulder we had had the hinge-joint, like the one at the arm, then we could

58. What is the body of the muscle? 59. Where are the muscles which move the hands and feet situated? Why are they not placed in the hands or feet? How are the tendons confined at the wrist? How are they confined at the ankle? 60. What would take place if they were not bandaged? What do we see displayed in every part of the body What adaptation is there in the body?

THE MIND AND THE MUSCLES.

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only have moved our arm and shoulder upward and downward, which would have been much more inconvenient than it is now, when we can turn it in every direction.

61. When we wish to raise our arm, our minds speak to the muscles leading to the arm, and tell them to contract or shorten, and they, like good and obedient children, instantly obey, and the arm is raised. When we desire to put it down, our minds speak to another set of muscles, which expand, and the arm drops.

When John refused to get up this morning, it was because his mind did not direct the proper muscles, and not because they refused.

62. And when Sarah's mother told her that she must knit so many rounds, or do so much sewing, before she went to play, her little muscles did not move one half so quickly as afterward, when she was engaged in her sports-and why? simply, because her mind was not so much interested, and, of course, her muscles moved more slowly.

63. How often is it that children think they have very hard tasks given to them, which they cannot possibly perform, as they say; but they do not consider that if they are disposed and interested in their labor, their muscles will assist them as readily as at play, when they frequently take very hard exercise. When the intemperate man falls to the ground, or totters along, it

60. Why would it not have been as well to have had the hinge-joint at the shoulder? 61. Explain how we raise our arm? Explain also how we put it down? Do the muscles refuse to obey the mind? 62. When do the muscles move most rapidly? How is this illustrated in case of the little girl? 63. Why do the small tasks of children sometimes appear difficult? Why do intemperate men often fall to the ground?

is because he has not command over his mind-hence none over his muscles.

64. In no part of the system is the variety, quickness, and accuracy of muscular motion so remarkable, as when we move our tongues in speaking. Every word we speak, every syllable we utter, requires a distinct action of a muscle. If you will notice the many different positions of the mouth in talking, you will be surprised to find that there are numerous persons, who are deaf and dumb, but who can understand what others say by watching the muscles of the mouth.

65. We also move a great variety of muscles in our hands when we write, or otherwise use them; also in our feet, when we walk; and when we eat, and in everything else that we do. Different animals also have muscles to assist their motion. Those without bones depend on muscles alone.

66. The elephant has a very short neck, and a large and clumsy head; consequently it would be impossible for him to take up his food and drink from the ground, like other animals, so he has a trunk or proboscis. This is a long flexible or movable organ, composed of a great number of muscles which contract and expand, and enable him to move it in every possible direction as he pleases. His trunk is endowed with the sense of smelling and feeling to a great degree of perfection. At the extremity there is a hollow, like a cup, which he is

64. What is said of the muscles of the tongue ? Could we speak without muscles? How can the deaf and dumb understand many things that are spoken? 65. In what parts of our bodies do we use a great variety of muscles? On what do animals who have no bones depend? 66. How does the elephant take up his food? Describe the trunk. With what is the trunk endowed? What is there at the extremity?

MUSCLES OF THE ARM.

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able to bend and turn so easily that he can take up his food and put it into his mouth, and can also take up water and force it through the nostrils into the mouth. I shall tell you more about this curious animal when I speak of the instinct of animals.

67. You will understand better what is meant by the contraction and expansion of muscles if you will take a piece of india rubber and stretch it. This will show

THE ARM.

the expansion; and when you remove your hand it will take its original size and appearance; this will show the contraction: but in our bodies there are two sets of muscles, one for contraction, and the other for expansion, as you will see in the cut of the arm, and also the manner in which they are joined to the arm.

68. Dr. Alcott relates a very interesting fact to illustrate the action of the muscles, as follows: "In front of St. Peter's church, at Rome, stands an obelisk, or pyramid, of red Egyptian granite, one hundred and twenty-four feet high. It was brought from Egypt to Rome, by order of the Roman emperor Caligula, where

66. What are the uses of the trunk? 67. How can you show what is meant by the expansion of muscles? Also the contraction of muscles? What does the cut represent? 68. In what way does Dr. Alcott illustrate the action of the muscles?

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