8 THE MYOLOGY OF THE RAVEN. 



fibres converge, and opposite the outer carneous extremity 

 of the tensor patagii longus they become converted into 

 a small and delicate, though strong tendon, which soon 

 thereafter blends with the tendon of the tensor patagii 

 longus, and in its action plays the part of an auxiliary 

 to it. The dermo-tensor patagii I have already alluded to 

 in various publications, and find in my dissection of birds 

 generally that it is quite a variable muscle ; and were 

 these variations all known and appreciated, I am confident 

 that they would be characters of considerable taxonornic 

 value. This muscle seems to correspond to the " pars 

 propatagialis musculi cucullaris " of Flirbringer and 

 Gadow, and has by several writers been described as 

 occurring in the species representing a variety of orders 

 of birds. 



7. The dermo-cleido dorsalis (Fig. 8). A beautiful 

 pair of muscles exist in the Eaven upon which I- have 

 bestowed this name. Either one arises from the upper 

 and mesial aspect of a clavicular limb, to the extent 

 shown in the drawing. As the muscle passes to the 

 integument, it becomes closely attached to it, is directed 

 over the shoulder-joint and scapular region in front, 

 as three distinct fasciculi, diverging in a fan-like form. 

 The extremities may meet in the median line of the 

 dorsum to merge with the dermo-dorsalis. 



It is very evident that the contraction of these muscles 

 will brace the skin over the fore-part of the back, while 

 if, on the other hand, they act from their integumental 

 attachment, they may aid to a limited extent in the act 

 of inspiration. 1 



1 These muscles seem to fulfil, in part, the function of the dermo- 



transversalis of Owen, which I fail to discover in the Eaven. This 



eminent authority describes this muscle for the Apteryx in the 



Jollowing words : " The skin covering the dorsal aspect of the lower 



