/cu4^ 



^ 



-t2 



d 



VII.J 



THE COMMON FROG. 



107 ,^<K 



addition to very numerous other muscles on both 

 surfaces, every one of the toes is provided with a 

 separate opponens muscle, each having a muscle 

 which passes from the bones of the ankle to its 

 middle foot bone or metatarsal. 



The question naturally occurs on beholding- this 

 prodigality of muscles — What special purpose is 

 served by the Frog's foot ? Surely mere jumping and 

 swimming cannot require so elaborate an apparatus. 



acLU 



Fig. 68. — Deep muscles of exor surface of Frog's hind foot. (The numbers indicate 

 . the digits to which the muscles belong.— No i indicating the first digit or great 

 toe.) q.b, abductors ; ad, adductor ; //', flexor brevis \/p flexores profundi ; fph, 

 flexores phalangium : op, opponens juuscles ; /;;/, transverse muscles. 



In fact, however, the Frog does make use of his 

 feet for a purpose requiring actions no less dexterous 

 and delicate than nest-building. 



