78 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



The Rectus, r, forms tlie front edge of the thigh, and proceeds 

 from the ilium, in front of the hip joints, and is inserted into the knee 

 cap, (^patella) at the stifle joint. This muscle forms the front edge of 

 the thigh. 



The vastus exturnu^, s, is a large muscle behind the rectus and is also 

 inserted into the patella. Only a part of it can be seen externally, and 

 both this and the rectus are powerful extensors of the thigh. 



The sartorius, or tailor's muscle, is a narrow strip descending inside 

 the thigh, and terminating just below the stifle joint. It bends the leg, 

 {tibia), and turns it inward. It is h:udly visible. The gracilis, u, lies 

 by the side of this muscle, and at the rear of it, occupying the i)rincipal 

 surface of the insid6 of the thigh, (femur). It is inserted into the uppei 

 part of the lower bone of the thigh, (tihia). 



V. Muscles of the Pore Limbs. 



These have been delineated on page 63 in. comicct ion with the corres- 

 ponding bones ; their names are there given. The elbow is the lever into 

 which the muscles for extending the arm are inserted. They are of great 

 power, and they extend up to the muscles of the shoulder, with which 

 they are connected in reciprocal action. 



VI. Muscles of the Leg and Foot. 



The most important of the muscles wiiich move the lower portion of 

 the leg and foot, is the extensor pedis, seen on pages 69 and 77, at v. 

 It comes from behind the stifle, from the extremity of the two bones of 

 the thigh, (femur and tibia). Descending to the hock, its tendons pass 

 under a sheath, confining it to its place in front of the joint. Thence it 

 continues to the foot, and, widely expanding, is inserted in front of the 

 coffin bone. 



The peronoeus, seen at page 69 and 77 at w, comes from iha fibula^ 

 and taking much the same course as the last-named muscle, but in a more 

 lateral direction, the tendon passes on the outside of the hock and de- 

 scends to tlie foot with the extensor pedis. These two muscles act to lift 

 the foot forward. Between them is another naiTow muscle, which acts 

 with them, and the tendon of which is seen just above the hock. 



One of tl>e jirincipal muscles for bending the foot is the flexor pedis, 

 shown at pages 69 and 76 and 77 at x. Rising from the upper part of the 

 tibia, it becomes tendinous before reaching the hock, and as a round, large 

 cord i)asses through a groove at the back of that joint. Then descending 

 behind the shank bone, it is inserted in the two pasterns. 



At the liack of the thigh (tibia) may be seen the extremities of the 

 gastrocnemiij pages 69 and 76 and 77aty. The united tendons (tendon 



