.REPORT ON THE MARSUPIALIA. 79 



In the Lion there is a powerful abductor ossis metatarsi and a weak abductor minimi 

 digiti. These are coalesced at their origins for the distance of about an inch. Separating 

 from each other the former attains its usual insertion, whilst the latter is continued 

 onwards as a flat tendon which lies upon and is incorporated with the outer surface of the 

 fibular head of the flexor brevis minimi digiti. Its continuity in this position is quite 

 apparent to the eye. Towards the root of the toe it again becomes separate to join the 

 extensor tendon on the dorsum of the first phalanx of the minimus. 



In the Dog not a trace of an abductor of any kind for the little toe is present as a 

 distinct muscle. In one specimen the fibular head of the flexor brevis at its insertion 

 exhibited a slight tendency to split, which might be taken as an indication that this 

 muscle has absorbed by fusion the abductor. 



Meles taxus (Badger). 



Passing now to the pentad actylous Carnivora, we find that the plantigrade foot of 

 the Badger approaches the typical trilaminar arrangement of intrinsic muscles more nearly 

 than the digitigrade pes of the tetradactylous Carnivora. Still it presents some important 

 deviations. 



Plantar layer — This layer is well marked, and the muscles composing it are very 

 readily separated. 



They are three in number, viz. — 



1. Adductor hallucis. 2. Adductor minimi digiti. 



3. Adductor indicis. 



These muscles all arise side by side and in one plane from the bases of the second and 

 third metatarsal bones, and then radiate from each other to reach their distal attachments. 

 They are inserted in such a manner as to act as adductors of their respective digits 

 towards a line drawn through the medius. No trace could be found of an adductor 

 annularis or of an opponens minimi digiti. 



Intermediate layer. — An undoubted tendency to coalescence between members of this ' 

 layer and the dorsal layer is exhibited. Certain of the heads of the flexores breves are in 

 consequence lost. 



The hallux, the index, and the minimus, are each provided with a double-headed flexor 

 brevis which presents the usual connections. The flexor brevis annularis and the flexor 

 brevis medii are merely represented by single tibial heads. No indication of the lost head 

 of the latter muscle exists, but it is likely that the bulky third dorsal interosseus holds 

 its fibres in its midst. There is no difficulty in tracing the fibular head of the flexor 

 brevis of the ring digit. It is partially united with the fourth dorsal interosseous 

 muscle. At its origin it is quite separate, but very soon the two muscles become completely 

 fused. 



