DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0073
ANATOMY.
59
Upon every change of motion or attitude of the body a great variation is observable. For
instance, in a figure standing perfectly still, resting equally on both feet, each leg sustains an
equal weight, and the pit between the clavicle hangs in the perpendicular line, which rises from
between the feet: but if the figure extend one arm, that pit quits its station and recedes .to-
wards the other side; or if he moves his leg the pit is also moved. By the extension of his arm
the weight of his hand, together with that of his arm, acts like a lever,, and thereby alters the
centre of gravity in his body, and renders it necessary that he counterpoise it by some addition
on the opposite side of the body, otherwise he would fall; therefore he inclines his shoulder to
the contrary side : this inclination of the shoulder is observable chiefly by the hips. If a ten
pound weight be put into the extended hand the effort of his body to obtain an equilibrium is
still more apparent; but if he receive the weight of twenty pounds in the same hand, it is with
with some difficulty that he decreases the quantity of weight on the loaded side of his body. For
the same reason a man in danger of falling on one side always inclines his body towards the
other side or, in other words, removes the centre of gravity.
When a person from a state of rest proceeds to walk he, in a similar manner, protrudes the
centre of gravity forwards, and that in proportion to the briskness of his pace. In a person
walking leisurely this is scarcely perceivable; but in one running swiftly it becomes very appa-
rent; his head and shoulders advancing considerably before that foot which springs from the
ground : and if he run against a strong wind, in order to overcome its resistance he throws the
centre of gravity still more forwards; and protrudes his head and shoulders so much that, were
the wind suddenly to stop, he would inevitably fall forwards.
In endeavouring to leap, a man bends his body to acquire a spring, then quickly extends the
junctures of the thighs knees and feet: by this extension the body describes an oblique line
inclining forwards and rising upwards; the motion directed forwards carries the body in that
direction, and the motion intended upwards elevating it: these conjoined motions enable the
body to describe a large arch, which is the direction described in jumping.
The greatest degree of contortion a man is able to obtain in viewing his hind parts, is to look
perpendicularly down upon his heel : this is attended with some difficulty, because it requires a
considerable flexure of the neck, the legs to be bent, and the shoulder over which the head
declines to be greatly lowered.
The motions of figures should always indicate that degree of strength which they may ration-
ally be supposed to employ in their respective actions; when a man lilts a burden his legs may
be considered as the prop of the moving machine his body ; the centre of gravity in his body
which he in tins case throws far backwards is the power; and the burden he is lifting, the weight
or resistance to be overcome : for he will never be able to raise the burden till it be counterpoised
by a weight in the opposite part of his body heavier than the burden itself. A man lifting a
stick or other equally light substance does not exert a force equal to him who is raising a beam.
A person intending to strike a violent blow first averts himself from the object of his attack, then
collecting all his force discharges it with a velocity compounded of the motion of his arm and
of the weight of the weapon with which he strikes. If he be tearing any thing out of the earth
he raises the leg opposite to the arm wherewith he acts, and bends that knee ; by these means
he balances himself on the other leg and retires backwards.
Notwithstanding
t
59
Upon every change of motion or attitude of the body a great variation is observable. For
instance, in a figure standing perfectly still, resting equally on both feet, each leg sustains an
equal weight, and the pit between the clavicle hangs in the perpendicular line, which rises from
between the feet: but if the figure extend one arm, that pit quits its station and recedes .to-
wards the other side; or if he moves his leg the pit is also moved. By the extension of his arm
the weight of his hand, together with that of his arm, acts like a lever,, and thereby alters the
centre of gravity in his body, and renders it necessary that he counterpoise it by some addition
on the opposite side of the body, otherwise he would fall; therefore he inclines his shoulder to
the contrary side : this inclination of the shoulder is observable chiefly by the hips. If a ten
pound weight be put into the extended hand the effort of his body to obtain an equilibrium is
still more apparent; but if he receive the weight of twenty pounds in the same hand, it is with
with some difficulty that he decreases the quantity of weight on the loaded side of his body. For
the same reason a man in danger of falling on one side always inclines his body towards the
other side or, in other words, removes the centre of gravity.
When a person from a state of rest proceeds to walk he, in a similar manner, protrudes the
centre of gravity forwards, and that in proportion to the briskness of his pace. In a person
walking leisurely this is scarcely perceivable; but in one running swiftly it becomes very appa-
rent; his head and shoulders advancing considerably before that foot which springs from the
ground : and if he run against a strong wind, in order to overcome its resistance he throws the
centre of gravity still more forwards; and protrudes his head and shoulders so much that, were
the wind suddenly to stop, he would inevitably fall forwards.
In endeavouring to leap, a man bends his body to acquire a spring, then quickly extends the
junctures of the thighs knees and feet: by this extension the body describes an oblique line
inclining forwards and rising upwards; the motion directed forwards carries the body in that
direction, and the motion intended upwards elevating it: these conjoined motions enable the
body to describe a large arch, which is the direction described in jumping.
The greatest degree of contortion a man is able to obtain in viewing his hind parts, is to look
perpendicularly down upon his heel : this is attended with some difficulty, because it requires a
considerable flexure of the neck, the legs to be bent, and the shoulder over which the head
declines to be greatly lowered.
The motions of figures should always indicate that degree of strength which they may ration-
ally be supposed to employ in their respective actions; when a man lilts a burden his legs may
be considered as the prop of the moving machine his body ; the centre of gravity in his body
which he in tins case throws far backwards is the power; and the burden he is lifting, the weight
or resistance to be overcome : for he will never be able to raise the burden till it be counterpoised
by a weight in the opposite part of his body heavier than the burden itself. A man lifting a
stick or other equally light substance does not exert a force equal to him who is raising a beam.
A person intending to strike a violent blow first averts himself from the object of his attack, then
collecting all his force discharges it with a velocity compounded of the motion of his arm and
of the weight of the weapon with which he strikes. If he be tearing any thing out of the earth
he raises the leg opposite to the arm wherewith he acts, and bends that knee ; by these means
he balances himself on the other leg and retires backwards.
Notwithstanding
t