CHAP, iv.l THE SKELETON OF THE LIMBS. 115 



Of the three cuneiform bones, the outermost one ccto-cunei- 

 form, is the largest, and the mesa-cuneiform is the smallest, and is 

 not to be seen on the plantar surface of the foot. The ento-cunei- 

 form is longest from behind forwards. It presents behind a concave . 

 articular surface for the naviculare. Above it has posteriorly a 

 concave articular surface for the meso- cuneiform, and anteriorly a 

 much smaller one for the second metatarsal. In front it has a flat 

 surface (elongated from the dorsum to the plantar aspect) for the 

 rudimentary first metatarsal. The meso-cuneiform is a wedge-shaped 

 bone with its broad end on the dorsum of the foot. Behind it presents 

 a concave articular surface for the naviculare, and it has another 

 concave articular surface in front for the second metatarsal. The 

 ecto-ciineiform has both in front and behind a large articular surface, 

 broad dorsally, and narrow towards the plantar surface. The former 

 articular surface is for the naviculare, the latter for the third meta- 

 tarsal. It has also on its inner side a small articular surface for the 

 meso-cuneiform, and on its outer side a much larger one for the 

 cuboides. The hinder, or proximal part of its plantar surface sends 

 downwards and distally a strong hook-shaped process (tcp), between 

 which and the plantar surface of the bone, the tendon of the 

 peroneus longus muscle passes. 



The cuboides, placed on the outer side of the tarsus (cb), articu- 

 lates with the os calcis behind, and with both the fourth and fifth 

 metatarsals in front. Its inferior surface is traversed by a deep 

 groove (for the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle), behind which 

 is a prominence for the attachment of a ligament. 



18. The METATARSUS consists of four elongated bones (the 

 shortest of them being more than half the length of the radius), and 

 one excessively short and rudimentary one (I.) which is placed on 

 the inner or tibial side of the other four. 



The four long metatarsals are much more elongated than are the 

 corresponding metacarpals, and the second of them (that of the third 

 digit or meclius of the foot) is also much stouter than is any one of 

 the latter. 



The innermost metatarsal is the only bone which represents the 

 first or innermost digit. It is called the hallux, and corresponds with 

 the pollex of the fore-paw. This first metatarsal is a minute conical 

 bone, smaller even than the meso-cuneiform. It has an oblique 

 articular surface at its proximal end, which articulates with the 

 ento-cuneiforine, while on its inner side is another articular surface 

 for the second metatarsal. 



The four outer metatarsals have their bases or tarsal ends en- 

 larged, and each provided with a proximal articular surface (dif- 

 ferent in shape in each metatarsal) for the tarsus, situated in a plane 

 nearly at right angles with the long axis of each respective meta- 

 tarsal. The proximal articular surface of the second metatarsal is 

 small and triangular ; that of the third is very large and crescentic ; 

 that of the fourth is moderate in size and quadrangular ; that of the 



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