The appendicular muscles of Necturus maculosus. 41 S 



This tendon runs down over the dorsal aspect of the lower leg - , 

 between Mm. femorometatarsalis and extensor tibialis, and inserts 

 into the distal epiphysis of the tibia (Fig. 25 ie). 



M. iliofibularis (if). This narrow, fusiform muscle, parallel 

 to and immediately posterior to the last, lies somewhat over the 

 posterior edge of the thigh so that it is best seen from the inner 

 aspect. It arises by a narrow tendon, in common with that of M. 

 ilioextensorius, from the base of the ilium, and inserts into the 

 proximal epiphysis of the fibula along its outer (posterior) aspect. 

 Is is treated by Hoffmann in connection with M. femerofibularis, 

 the two being considered by him as the two heads of a bicipital 

 muscle, M, iliofemerofibularis, an indirect homolog of the human M. 

 biceps femoris. In Necturus, however, the two muscles are entirely 

 distinct, and make separate insertion into the fibula (Fig. 37 if and ff). 



M. femerofibularis {ff). This is a narrow, ribbon-like 

 muscle, extending diagonally across the posterior (ventral) aspect of 

 the shaft of the femur. It arises near the insertion of Mm. caudali- 

 femoris and ischiofemoralis, and extends obliquely across the femur 

 towards the fibular side of the lower leg (Fig. 14). It makes a 

 tendinous insertion into the middle of the shaft of the fibula upon 

 its outer aspect. 



E. Muscles of the distal portiou of the free limb. 



1. Dorsal aspect of leg and foot. 



M. femerometatarsalis (fm). This is the large superficial muscle. 

 triangulär in shape, that Covers the central part of the dorsal 

 surface, between Mm. extensor tibialis superficialis and extensor 

 fibularis. It arises from the middle of the outer surface of the 

 distal epiphysis of the femur, between the two condyles, and diverges 

 fan-like to about the level of the distal row of tarsal bones, where 

 it becomes divided into three main slips, corresponding to the inter- 

 vals between the digits. Closely associated with the outer one of 

 the three main slips there is situated an accessory slip which 

 continues the series upon the fibular side. It arises by a tendon 

 of its own that lies upon the fibular side of the main muscle in the 

 form of a fine thread, which gives rise, not only to the fibers that 

 form the accessory slip, but also to a few of the most fibular fibers 

 of the main bündle adjacent to it. The tendon lies closely approxi- 



