MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 159 



terior to the external pterygoid (&,) and the digastric (h,) 

 muscles are seen three separate parts of the temporal muscle 

 (d, e,f.) A portion of this muscle (e,) extending forwards 

 like a buccinator, embraces the posterior part of the poison- 

 gland (a,) and forces the secretion into the duct (#*,) and 

 thence into the perforated fang (b.) The strong muscles of 

 the lower jaw (/, w,) extend upwards to the vertebrae and 

 backwards to the ribs, and unite into a single band on their 

 fore part. The row of salivary glands (b, c,) extend back- 

 wards beneath the poison gland (,) and forwards before the 

 masseter muscle (a.) The great length of all the muscles of 

 the head and trunk of serpents contributes to the velocity of 

 their movements, and their numerous subdivisions contribute 

 to the variety of their motions. Their muscles, for the most 

 part, terminate in narrow, shining, tendinous bands, which 

 allows of a greater number of muscles being inserted into a 

 limited space, and consequently a greater variety in the 

 movements of the articulations. These elongated forms, 

 and tendinous terminations are most conspicuous in the ex- 

 ternal and internal muscles of the ribs, which are the legs 

 of these animals. The cloaca has its distinct muscles for 

 opening and closing that cavity ; the pelvic bones and rudi- 

 mentary feet, sometimes developed, are provided with mus- 

 cles analogous to those of the ventral fins and pelvic bones 

 of fishes ; the scapular arch, developed in the most per- 



