CHAP. IX. Of the parts of a Muscle.
HAving declared the nature and differences of a muscle, we must note that some of the parts thereof are compound, or universall, others simple or particular. The compound are the head, Belly and taile. The simple are ligaments, a nerve, flesh, a veine, artery and coate. For the compound parts, by the head we understand the beginning and originall of a muscle, which is one while liga∣mentous and nervous, otherwhiles also fleshy. By the belly, that portion which is ab∣solutely fleshy; But by the taile, we understand a Tendon consisting partly of a nerve, partly of a ligament promiscuously comming forth from the belly of the muscle. For asmuch as belongs to the simple, which are sixe in number, three are called proper, and three common. The proper are a Ligament from a bone, a nerve pro∣ceeding from the Braine, or spinall marrow, and flesh compact by the concretion of blood. The Common are, a veine from the Liver or trunke arising from thence; an artery proceeding from the Heart, a Coate produced by the nervous & ligamentous fibers spreading over the superficies of the muscle. But for the simple use of all such parts, the nerve is as it were the principall part of a muscle, which gives it sense and motion, the Ligament gives strength, the flesh containes the nervous and liga∣mentous fibers of the muscle and strengthens it filling up all the void spaces, and also it preserves the native humidity of these parts and cherisheth the heat implanted in them; and to conclude, defends it from all externall injuries; for like a fan it oppo∣seth it selfe against the heat of the Sunne; and is as a garment against the cold; and as a cushion in all falls and bruises, and as a buckler or defence against wounding weapons. The veine nourishes the muscle, the arterie gives it life, the coat preserves