208 ANATOMY OF VERTEBRATES. 



peroneal veins. The first is joined by some branches from the 

 surface of the joint answering to the articular arteries ; it also 

 receives the anterior tibial vein which accompanies the artery of 

 the same name. The tibial vein proceeds down the leg along 

 with the artery on the inside of the deep-seated flexors of the 

 heel : it turns over the fore part of the articulation of the tibia 

 with the metatarsal bone, in order to get upon the inner side of the 

 metatarsus ; above the origin of the pollex, it receives a com- 

 municating branch from the peroneal vein, and immediately after 

 two branches from the toes : one of them comes from the inside 

 of the internal toe ; the other arises from the inside of the exter- 

 nal and middle toes, unites at the root of the toes in the sole of 

 the foot, and is joined by a branch from the pollex, before its ter- 

 mination in the internal vein of the metatarsus. 



' The peroneal vein derives its principal branches along with 

 those of the peroneal artery, from the muscles on the outside of 

 the leg. The trunk of the vein comes out from the peroneal 

 muscles, and passes superficially over the joint of the heel, and 

 along the outside of the metatarsus ; near the pollex, or great 

 toe, it sends a branch round the back of the leg, to communicate 

 with the tibial vein ; after which it is continued upon the outside 

 of the external toe to the extremity, receiving anastomosing 

 branches from the tibial vein. 



' Where the veins run superficially upon the upper and lower 

 extremities, they seem to supply the place of the branches of the 

 cephalic, basilic, and the two saplien<B ; but the analogy is lost 

 upon the upper arm and thigh, these branches forming deep-seated 

 trunks ; this constitutes the greatest peculiarity,^ as compared 

 with Man and many Mammals, in the distribution of the veins 

 in the extremities of Birds.' 



