NERVES OF MAMMALIA. 173 



matic may be traced downward, and a branch of the internal 

 pudendal upward, towards each other. Another part of the 

 junction of the fourth and fifth, with sometimes a branch from the 

 sixth sacral, joins the hypogastric plexus, and sends branches 

 along the inferior uterine artery to the neck of the uterus and 

 vagina, and is then distributed to the bladder, urethra, vagina, 

 and rectum. The remaining part of the fifth and sixth sacrals 

 forms the beginning of the anterior caudal nerve, to which the 

 anterior trunks of the remaining spinal nerves below it become 

 united ; the posterior trunks of these nerves form the posterior 

 caudal nerve ; both of these are continued to the extremity of 

 the tail, communicating by branches, and supplying one-half of 

 each anterior or posterior surface. 1 The gluteal nerves are sent 

 from the two first sacrals at their junction with the sciatic, and 

 terminate on the glutei and tensor fascia?. A nerve given off 

 from the sciatic supplies the gracilis and gemelli, and is continued 

 down to the quadratus femoris. The anterior crural nerve sup- 

 plies the sartorius, rectus femoris, vasti, and cruraeus. The sa- 

 phenus nerve descends with the vein, giving numerous filaments to 

 the ligaments and skin, and communicating at the side of the foot 

 with the inner branch of the deep plantar nerve, and through this 

 with a branch of the inner plantar, to be distributed on the skin at 

 the side of the foot. The obturator nerve supplies the adductors 

 and the large muscle corresponding with the gracilis. The sciatic 

 nerve gives branches to the semimembrancsus, semitendinosus, and 

 biceps ; it then divides into the posterior tibial and the peroneal, 

 both of which give branches to the biceps. The posterior tibial 

 sends a branch down at the back of the gastrocnemius, and on the 

 outer side of the tendo Achillis to the fascia, on that side of the hock : 

 it then passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, to 

 which and the large muscle representing the posterior tibial and 

 the flexors of the toes it gives branches ; it descends on the inner 

 side of the tendo Achillis, giving branches to the fascia, &c. on the 

 inner side of the hock, near which it divides into the inner and 

 outer plantar nerves ; the inner sends off a large branch obliquely 

 over the flexor tendon to join the external plantar nerve ; it passes 

 down on the inner side of the tendon, giving branches to the sheath, 

 fascia, and integuments ; near the foot it gives off a large branch, 

 which communicates with the inner branch of the deep plantar 

 nerve, to be distributed on the skin at the inner side of the foot ; 

 it gives branches to the skin of the heel, and then passes down to 

 the hoof, covered by the vascular lamella?, and distributing 



1 LIV, p. 160. 



