200 THE ARTISTIC ANATOMY OF ANIMALS 



small muscles, tendinous throughout, which are situated 

 between the principal metacarpal and the rudimentary ones. 



The suspensory ligament of the fetlock is considered an 

 interosseous muscle, on account of the red fleshy striations 

 which it contains, and from certain relations which it forms 

 with the tendon of the common extensor of the digits or 

 anterior extensor of the phalanges. This ligament (Fig. 75, 

 26 ; Fig. 77, 13), which plays an important part in the 

 standing position as a support of the foot, is a fibrous 

 band situated between the tendons of the flexors of the 

 digits and the principal metacarpal. It arises above, from 

 the second row of the carpals, descends towards the fetlock, 

 where it divides into two branches, which are inserted into 

 the large sesamoid bones. At the same level, this ligament 

 gives off two fibrous bands which, passing downwards and 

 forwards, join the tendon of the anterior extensor of the 

 phalanges, blending with it, after having each crossed one 

 of the lateral aspects of the pastern. We have already 

 referred to these bands (p. 183). 



It is with these latter that are blended the long and 

 slender tendons which form in a great measure the two 

 other interosseous muscles previously described. 



A ligament of the same kind is found in the ox 

 (Fig. 74, 23). 



MUSCLES OF THE POSTERIOR LIMBS 



Muscles of the Pelvis 



The muscles which specially interest us in this region, 

 because of their superficial position, are the gluteus maximus 

 and the gluteus medius. As for the gluteus minimus, it is 

 deeply situated, and more or less sharply marked off from 

 the second of the preceding muscles. 



Inasmuch as the gluteus medius is more simple in arrange- 

 ment than the maximus, and will aid us in arranging our 

 ideas in connection with the latter, it is with the study of it 

 that we will commence. 



Gluteus Medius (Fig. 68, 29 ; Fig. 69, 26 ; Fig. 70. 35). 



