970 
Myology of the Perch. After Cuvier. 
anterior cartilages of the vertebral column. [t 
runs obliquely outwards, and 0. 
wards, so as to describe a curvature, the con- 
vexity of which is external. Its insertion is 
men by strong fleshy origins covered with dense 
aponeurosis. Above the pelvic arch they di- 
vide into numerous tendinous slips which run 
backwards in separate sheaths, each successively 
approximating the middle line of the body, 
where they are inserted on the dorsal aspect of 
each vertebra as far as the extremity of the tail. 
The inferior lateral muscles, like the prece- 
ding, take their origin in the lumbar region, 
and present nearly the same arrangement, only 
their tendons are much more slender than those 
of the superior set. At their termination each 
tendon bifurcates, allowing that appropriated to 
the succeeding vertebra to pass through it so as 
mutually to form sheaths to each other, so that 
they are all, except the last, both perforati and 
perforantes. 
Osseous Fishes have no special muscles ap- 
pointed for the movements of the head, but in 
the Rays there are three destined to this office, 
one serving to move the head upon the trunk, 
the other two raising and depressing the extre- 
mity of their elongated snout. 
e former is situated upon the upper as- 
pect of the body above the branchial cavity. It 
arises from the vertebral column and from the 
anterior portion of the pectoral zone. Its inser- 
tion is into the posterior region of the head, 
which it raises towards the back. 
Of the two muscles of the snout, the superior 
arises also from the scapular cincture by a short 
fleshy belly, from which a thin cylindrical ten- 
don is given off. This runs in a mucous sheath, 
above the branchie to the base of the snout 
where it is inserted, serving of course to raise it 
upwards. ' 
The other is situated beneath the body within 
the branchial cavity, where it arises from the 
y 
almost entirely fleshy into the base of the 
trum, which it bends or curves towards 
belly. 1% 
The muscles of the huge pectoral fins form 
two thick fleshy layers, covering these lit 
both above and below, and dividing into a 
many fasciculi as there are fin rays, into 
they are inserted. A similar arrangement exists 
likewise in the ventral fins, the represent ives 
of hinder extremities. all 
The muscles of the jaws in the cartilaginou 
Fishes are more numerous than in those po 
sessed of an osseous skeleton. The lower 
of the Skate is depressed by a large oblor 
muscular mass, composed of straight paral: 
fibres, which, taking its origin from the anteri 
margin of the transverse cartilaginous belt 
sustains the pectoral fins, runs forward to 
serted near the centre of the inferior maxil 
which it thus powerfully depresses, 
side, cor 
_ 
» 
Two small muscles, one on each 
tribute to the same effect. These are a 
in front near the commissure of the lips, at 
running inwards, almost cross each oth 
neath the preceding, which is azygos; thi 
they are attached partly to the skin, and partl 
to the transverse cartilage. . 
Those muscles which raise the lower j 
likewise upon the upper. One attached to 
lateral part mounts over the open jaw, as ove! 
a pulley, and runs to be imp ted above 
upper jaw, which is here moveable, into 
base of the cranium. iil 
A second is broad and short. Its fibres 
