Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology (1836) (14578305227)

Identifier: animalvegetable01roge (find matches)
Title: Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology
Year: 1836 (1830s)
Authors: Roget, Peter Mark, 1779-1869
Subjects: Biology Physiology Plant physiology Natural theology
Publisher: Philadelphia, Carey, Lea & Blanchard
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries



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omplicated, and give the animalthe power of rolling itself into a ball. A minute descrip-tion of these muscles has been given by Cuvier, who foundthat the whole body is enveloped in a large muscular bag,or mantle, lying immediately under the integuments; andcapable, by the contraction of different portions of its fibres,of carrying the skin over a great extent of surface. In theusual state of the animal, this broad muscle appears on the * The only quadrupeds which resemble the mole in the perfect adaptationof their structure to the pui-poses of burrowing, are the Wombat and theKoala, which are among the many extraordinary animals inhabiting- the con-tinent of Australia. Their hind legs are constructed in a manner veiy mucliresembling- the human fore-arm. (See Home, Lectures, See. i. 134.) 364 THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. back (as represented in Fig. 219,) contracted into a thickoval disk, of which the fibres are much accumulated at thecircumference. From the edges of this disk there pass
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down auxiliary muscles towards the lower parts of the body;the action of which nyiscles tends to draw the skin down-wards, and to coil it over the head and paws, in the mannershown in Fig. 220, like the closing of the mouth of a greatbag. § 10. Carnivora, The type of the Mammalia may be considered as havingattained its full development in the carnivorous tribes, whichcomprehend the larger beasts of prey. As their food is ani-mal, they acquire a less complicated apparatus for digestionthan herbivorous quadrupeds, possess greater activity andstrength, and enjoy a greater range of sensitive and intel-lectual faculties. In accordance with these conditions, wemay notice the greater expansion of their brain, the su-perior acuteness of their senses, and their enormous mus-cular power. The trunk of the body is lighter than thatof vegetable feeders, especially in the abdominal region,and is compressed laterally: the spine is more pliant andelastic,* the limbs have greater freedom of motion, t