268 COMPARATIVE MYOLOGY. 



the anterior one has no ischial origin. The sartorius has an origin from the 

 venter of the ilium, and its fleshy portion reaches the tibia. The gracilis is 

 very small and thin. 



In the anterior tibial region we find the following muscles : — The tibialis 

 anticus, corresponding to the fleshy portion of the flexor metatarsi, partly 

 covers the extensor communis ; it arises from the tibial crest and tuberosity, 

 receives a slip from the peroneus, and is inserted by a tendon to the meta- 

 tarsal element of the hallux. If the hallux is complete, a tendinous slip 

 passes to the distal phalanx. The tendon of this muscle is bound down by a 

 fibrous band, from which a strong slip passes under the tendon, becoming 

 attached to the tibia, and to the metatarsal bone of the middle digit, to some 

 extent corresponding to the fibrous portion of the flexor metatarsi. The 

 extensor communis diqitorum arises by a strong tendon from between the 

 femoral condyle and the trochlea ; its tendon of insertion passes over the tarsus 

 much in the usual manner, divides into four slips, and is inserted as in the 

 anterior limb. The j)eroneus longns is placed between the preceding muscle 

 and the peroneus brevis ; it arises from the superior part of the tibia, and 

 its ten<^on, reaching the tarsus, divides, a slip passing inwards to the first meta- 

 tarsal bone, the rest winding round the cuboid to gain the back of the joint, 

 and become attached to the metatarsal bone of the hallux. This muscle seems 

 to be an abductor of the extremity. The peroneus brevis consists of two parts 

 — a superior, arising from the upper third of the fibula, and having a long thin 

 tendon, which passes underneath the peroneus longus, descends and joins the 

 extensor tendon of the external digit. The inferior part is penniform, and 

 arises also from the fibula, ending in a strong tendon which is inserted to the 

 externa] metatarsal bone. The superior portion is the extensor proprius of the 

 outer digit, the inferior an abductor of the extremity. 



In the posterior tibial region we find the jplantaris wanting. The flexor 

 perforatus is somewhat blended with the gastrocnemius, and its tendon is 

 divided into four parts, and inserted as in the anterior extremity. The 

 perforans tendon divides into four, and if the hallux is perfect into five slips, 

 proceeding to the distal phalanges. Between the perforans and flexor access- 

 orius is a separate muscle, the tibialis riosticus, very thin and slender, arising 

 from the fibula aud tibia above, its tendon accompanying that of the accessorius 

 into its sheath, and afterwards becoming blended with the posterior tarsal 

 ligament. 



We note the following muscles in the metatarsal region. The extensor pedis 

 brevis consists usually of three bundles, and it joins the extensor tendons of the 

 three outer digits. The perforans has a small accessory muscle, which arises 

 on the outside of the tarsus. The lumbricales and interossei resemble their 

 analogues of the metacarpus. The muscles proper to the hallux are either 

 absent, or too rudimentary to merit notice. An abductor minimi digiti is 

 present, and corresponds to that of the metacarpus. 



RODENTIA. 



The most prominent feature in the myology of the rabbit is the enormous 

 development of the dorso-lumbar, sublumbar, gluteal, and femoral muscles. 



