138 



is in comparison to the flexor sublimis a very powerful muscle. The 

 latter terminates only in two tendons, which are inserted into the 

 first and second phalanges of the index and digitus medius, forming 

 strong sheaths for the passage of the tendons of the profundus. This 

 muscle arises by three distinct portions j one from the whole anterior 

 part of the olecranon ; a second from the anterior part of the rest of 

 the ulna, and from the interosseous ligament ; the third portion ap- 

 pears to hold the place of flexor longus pollicis, and comes from the 

 anterior part of the radius. The whole is inserted into the spade- 

 shaped bone, beyond which tendons are continued to the extreme 

 phalanges of all the fingers. 



"The greater length of the index finger depends on that of the 

 first phalanx, which in all the other fingers is very short, and in the 

 two external is a mere lamina of bone. This is a peculiarity found 

 in most of the Edentata j so that in the Sloths, where the first 

 phalanx is early anchylosed to the metacarpal bones, its existence 

 was overlooked before the observations of Cuvier. The distal pha- 

 langes of the second and third fingers are the largest ; at the lower 

 part of them is the rudiment of the bony sheath supporting the claws. 

 Besides the lever afforded by the palmar spade- shaped bone, there is 

 a distinct sesamoid interposed between the last joints of each finger 

 and the^e^or tendon. The length of the whole hand is 2 inches 4 

 lines ; its breadth 10 lines. 



"There is scarcely any cervix to the femur, but immediately be- 

 yond the head are the two trochanters, and a large middle process, 

 analogous to the deltoid in the humerus. The length of the femur is 

 2 inches 6 lines. The patella is oblong and narrow. The tibia and 

 fibula are anchylosed at both extremities : the length of the tibia is 

 2 inches ; the breadth of the interosseous space nearly 5 lines. 

 The bones of the tarsus presented the same disposition as is de- 

 scribed by Cuvier, and figured in PI. xi. fig. 1 8. of the work above 

 quoted. The small supernumerary bone on the tibial side of the 

 tarsus has the tendon of a small muscle inserted into it, which seems 

 to be a fasciculus separated from the tibialis posticus ; the rest of the 

 tibialis posticus is inserted as usual into the base of the internal cu- 

 neiform bone. 



M The flexor longus digitorum pedis and the flexor longus pollicis 

 pedis are united through nearly their whole extent. The common 

 tendon, having reached the sole, expands and surrounds a sesamoid 

 bone, smaller than, but analogous to, the spade-shaped sesamoid in 

 the palm. Cuvier states th^t he had not observed this plantar sesa- 

 moid in any Armadillo except the Cachicame, Das. Peba. The length 

 of the whole foot is 2 inches 8 lines ; its breadth 1 inch." 



