harness. It would receive, as it exerted its power, a number of jars and jolts which would not only be unpleasant, but which would absorb and dissipate some of the energy it was expending. The animal would be more comfortable, and it would work more efficiently, if a number of elastic structures were interposed between it and the cart. The jolts would be taken up by the elastic structures, and the horse, instead of having to pull in a spasmodic way, would pull steadily and without jerks. The amount of effective work would thus be increased.
I am inclined, however, to think that the elasticity of muscle plays even a more important role than this, as has recently been ably advocated by a great French physiologist, Professor Chauveau. It has long been known that a contracted muscle can be stretched to a given extent by a smaller weight than is required to stretch it when it is at rest and not contracted. This has led physiologists to say that by contraction the elasticity of the muscle is diminished in amount while it is still perfect; that is to say, a contracted muscle is easily stretched, and when the stretching force is
