210 CATTLE. 



14. The external oblique muscle of the abdomen. It extends over 

 the Avhole of the inferior and lateral portions of the bell}', giving sup- 

 port to the contents of the belly ; assisting in the evacuation of the 

 faeces and urine, and also in that of the fcetus, and being a valuable 

 auxiliary in the process of breathing. Although it has not so much 

 work to perform as an auxiliary muscle in respiration, or in support- 

 ing the abdomen and its contents in the shocks to which they are 

 occasionally exposed in rapid motion, yet this and the other oblique 

 muscle have a great deal more constant labor than is generally sup- 

 posed in supporting the immense weight of the distended paunch, 

 and sometimes powerfully contracting upon it. These oblique mus- 

 cles, which constitute the flank pieces of various kinds in the carcass, 

 are of considerable thickness, and never overlooked by the butcher 

 when examining a beast. 



15. The glutcBUS maximuSf or great muscle, belonging to the but- 

 tock, principally constitues the anterior, middle, and external parts of 

 the haunch. Its attachments are very complicated, and its action is 

 what its situation at once indicates, either to flex and bring forward 

 the hind limbs upon the loins, or the pelvis and loins upon the hind 

 limbs, accordingly as either is made a fixed point. This muscle is 

 the one which is most largely concerned in propelling animals for- 

 ward, and is in cattle a large one, though relatively, for no great 

 speed is usually required from them, nor any sudden and powerful 

 flexion of the Umbs. This muscle is brought into view in cattle by 

 raising the aponeurotic expansion of the fascia lata, and it is con- 

 cealed superiorly and posteriorly by the prolongation of the semi- 

 tend inosus muscle. 



16. Fascia lata. This muscle, although we have termed it a fascia 

 or envelope, is a fleshy and tendinous expansion over the whole of 

 the anterior and external surface of the thigh, w^hence it spreads be- 

 low the stifle. Its chief use is to strengthen the muscles beneath ; 

 but, besides this, it assists the extension of the leg on the thigh and 

 the flexion of the thigh on the pelvis. Its fleshy portion is 'divided 

 mto two, and its tendinous expansion extends over all the muscles of 

 the quarters, and unites with the principal flexor muscle of the 

 thigh — the adductor magnus. This is a part of the beast where we 

 look for plenty of muscle and fat, and we can hardly find quarters 

 too long and too well developed. 



17 and 18. The biceps femoris, or two-headed muscle of the thigh. 

 It flexes the leg upon the thigh, and contributes to turn the leg in- 

 ward. In cattle, it has no spinal prolongation, and it does not 

 »iscend beyond the ischial tuberosity. 



19. The foramina belonoincr to the sub-cutaneous abdominal vein. 



The preceding numbers refer to the cut, page 202 ; those follow* 

 ing, to the cut on the next page. 



