An exposition of fallacies in the hypothesis of MrDarwin . metry, and Professor Haughton has discovered thatthe peculiar skew surface assumed by muscles is thebeautiful hyperboloid of one sheet, and that thepectoral muscle in birds wings, and the adductormagnus muscle in the human leg, are examples of thisgeometrical form. Thus Nature, for particular pur-poses, varies her usual mode of structure, and sub-stitutes that which geometers have proved moreapplicable to the purpose intended; and that formwhich geometers, and only geometers, can will quote here Professor Haughtons own words
An exposition of fallacies in the hypothesis of MrDarwin . metry, and Professor Haughton has discovered thatthe peculiar skew surface assumed by muscles is thebeautiful hyperboloid of one sheet, and that thepectoral muscle in birds wings, and the adductormagnus muscle in the human leg, are examples of thisgeometrical form. Thus Nature, for particular pur-poses, varies her usual mode of structure, and sub-stitutes that which geometers have proved moreapplicable to the purpose intended; and that formwhich geometers, and only geometers, can will quote here Professor Haughtons own words :— ^ The prismatic muscle and the penniform musclepossess the remarkable property, which can be demon-strated mathematically, that in their contraction no losswhatever takes place. Nature therefore, according to B B 2 372 FALLACIES OF DARWINISM. my principle, is entitled to employ these two forms ofmuscles whenever she pleases ; she suffers no loss orinjury by using these forms of muscles, and we find,therefore, they are l)oth frequently employed. When. Fig. 34.— Skew Surface, showing the outside of the hyperboloid ofone sheet. Seen in the adductor magnus muscle of human leg, andthe great pectoral muscle in the wings of birds. After Haughton. we come to the triangular, the quadrilateral and skeAvmuscles, we can demonstrate by mathematics that inthe use of every such muscle there is a necessary lossof force. I may, therefore, be asked. How comes it,if the principle of least action be true, that Nature ever LEAST action: 373 employs muscles involving a necessary loss of force?I answer, because Mature has other problems in viewthan mere economy of force in a single muscle. Shehas to consider, if she economise force simply, mthoutregard to other circumstances, such as beauty of formand surface of least resistance, whether she might notlose rather than gain, taking into consideration all theconditions. I have always maintained that beauty ofform, symmetry of outline, was one of
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbreechar, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1872
