. Insect transformations . vesits course at different heights of the atmosphere, andthat this was performed in the same direction withthe ship, what a conception do we form of this dis-play of muscular strength.! It should, however,be observed, that the muscular power of the sword-fish is principally shown in the rate of swimming, bywhich the animal overtakes the ships, and thus ac-quires the momentum which determines the forceof the blow. We may understand the proximatecause of the strength of insects, when we lookat the prodigious number of their muscles — thefleshy belts or ribbons by whose
. Insect transformations . vesits course at different heights of the atmosphere, andthat this was performed in the same direction withthe ship, what a conception do we form of this dis-play of muscular strength.! It should, however,be observed, that the muscular power of the sword-fish is principally shown in the rate of swimming, bywhich the animal overtakes the ships, and thus ac-quires the momentum which determines the forceof the blow. We may understand the proximatecause of the strength of insects, when we lookat the prodigious number of their muscles — thefleshy belts or ribbons by whose means all animalmotions are performed. Tlic numl)er of these in-struments of motion in the human body is reckonedabout 529 ; but in the caterpillar of tiie goat-motii,Lyonnet counted more than seven times as many :in the head, 2-28 ; in the body, 1647 ; and aroundthe intestines, 2186 ; which, after deducting 20, * Bradley, Phil. Account, p Gilbert Blane, Select Diss. p. VI. 16 182 IxXSECT Magnified view of the principal dorsal nuisclea ol the upper half ol theCossus, from MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF INSECTS. 183 common to the head and gullet, gives a total of4061.* Any lady, says Kiiby and Spence, fond ofgoing to be tempted with an exhibition of fine lace,would experience an unexpected gratification couldshe be brouglit to examine the muscles of a caterpillarunder the microscope : with wonder and delight shewould survey the innumerable muscular threads thatin various directions envelope the gullet, stomach,and lower intestines of one of those little animals; —some running longitudinally, others transversely,others crossing each other obliquely, so as to forma pattern of rhomboids or squares; others, again,surrounding the intestine like so many rings, andalmost all exhibiting the appearance of being woven,and resembling fine lace, — one i)attern ornamentingone organ ; another, a second ; and another, We put the caterpillar of
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