MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 



155 



rally very little connexion between the skin and the sub- 

 jacent muscles of the body. The general disposition of the 

 superficial muscles in the urodelous amphibia is seen on re- 

 moving the skin from the common crested triton, triton cris- 

 tatus (Fig. 72.) In the back view of the trunk (Fig. 72. 1,) 

 short transverse strata of lateral muscles (b,) separated from 

 each other by thin, soft, tendinous aponeuroses, are seen 



FIG. 72. 



occupying the dorsal portion of 

 the body, from the occipital 

 bone to the posterior extremity 

 of the tail. The muscular strata 

 (c,) which descend from these in 

 a more oblique direction down- 

 wards and backwards, are united 

 together on the fore part of the 

 abdomen (Fig. 72. 2. b,) to form 

 a large continuous descending 

 oblique muscle. But behind the 

 anus (2. c,) the tendinous inter- 

 sections (2. d,) continue distinct 

 along the tail, below the vertebral 

 column as well as above it. In the 

 rigid state of these lateral muscles 

 in the tadpoles, as in that of 

 the rana paradoxa, the sides of the trunk are marked by trans- 

 verse vertical furrows, similar to those on the sides of fishes. 

 We perceive also in the tadpoles, as in fishes, a thin vertical 

 prolongation of the skin along the upper and lower surfaces 

 of the tail, like dorsal and anal fins, but unsupported by 

 rays. The recti abdominis of the tadpoles form a broad 

 muscular expansion covering the fore part of the trunk, di- 

 vided by several transverse tendinous intersections, and 

 tapering to the pelvis. These two muscles become more 

 contracted and narrow in the adult animal. In the salaman- 

 der strong muscular fasciculi descend from the free ends of 

 the short ribs of the trunk, and expanding as they pass over 

 the abdomen, they unite to form a continuous external 

 oblique. The muscles of the extremities are more developed 

 in these animals, to support them on land, than in the tritons 

 and other aquatic species, w r here they are little used for pro- 

 gressive motion. In the anurous species, in their adult 



