Preface to the second edition. Preface to first edition. Acknowledgements. <strong>1.</strong> Early development of muscle. <strong>2.</strong> Development of motoneurones. <strong>3.</strong> Encounter of motor nerves with muscle fibres. <strong>4.</strong> Tonic and phasic mucle fibres of lower vertebrates and birds. <strong>5.</strong> Mammalian muscles and motor units. <strong>6.</strong> Emergence of the mammalian motor unit. <strong>7.</strong> Plasticity of muscles and their motor units. <strong>8.</strong> Axotomy: effects on motoneurones, nerves and muscles. <strong>9.</strong> Nerve regeneration and muscle reinnervation. <strong>10.</strong> Disturbances of nerve-muscle interactions and their consequences. Index.