MUSCULAR SYSTEM OF AVES. 87 



five lower cervical vertebrae are joined near their tendinous termi- 

 nations by corresponding oblique fasciculi of the long us colli 

 jyostlcus, and the strong round tendons continued from the points 

 of convergence of these fascicles are inserted successively into the 

 posterior oblique processes of the twelfth to the sixth cervical 

 vertebra inclusive ; the two fasciculi next in succession receive 

 no accessory fibres from the longus colli posticus ; the anterior 

 one derives an extensive origin from the upper transverse pro- 

 cesses of the eighth, seventh, and sixth cervical vertebrae. It 

 must be observed, however, that the whole of each fasciculus is 

 not expended in the strong round tendinous insertion above de- 

 scribed ; the portion which arises from the anterior ridge of the 

 diapophysis passes more directly inwards than the rest, and is 

 attached to the tendon which terminates the fasciculus imme- 

 diately behind ; at the middle of the neck these accessory fibres 

 approach to the character of distinct origins. The tendons of 

 insertion, moreover, severally receive accessory fleshy fibres from 

 the base of the zygapophysis of the two vertebrae next behind ; 

 and thus they become the medium of muscular forces acting from 

 not less than five distinct points, the power of which is augmented 

 by each tendon being braced down by the oblique converging 

 series of muscles immediately anterior to it. The fasciculus from 

 the eighth cervical vertebra, besides its insertion by the ordinary 

 tendon, sends off externally a small pyramidal bundle of muscular 

 fibres which soon terminates in a long and slender tendon which 

 is inserted into the oblique process of the third cervical vertebra. 

 Corresponding portions of muscle are detached from the two 

 anterior fasciculi, Avhich converge and terminate in a common 

 slender tendon inserted into the posterior oblique process of the 

 fourth cervical vertebra ; and thus terminates this complex muscle 

 or series of muscles. It is partially represented by the muscle 

 8, in fig. 35 (Hawk). 



The longus colli posticus is most internal or medial of the super- 

 ficial muscles of the dorsal aspect of the thoracic and cervical 

 regions. At its posterior part it seems to be a continuation of the 

 longissimus dorsi ; its medial and anterior part ofi^ers a strong 

 analogy with the hiventer cervicis ; it is the homologue of the 

 first, or medio-dorsal series of oblique fibres of the muscular 

 system in Fishes. It commences by long and slender, but strong, 

 subcompressed tendons from the spines of the sixth, fifth and 

 fourth dorsal vertebroe : these tendons gradually expand as they 

 proceed forward and downward, and send oflT from their under 

 surface muscular fibres which continue in the same course, and 



