MYOLOGY 203 



narrowed, and proceeds to be inserted by a deep fasciculus 

 into the third trochanter, to the fascia lata, and, lastly, 

 to the knee-cap by the inferior part of its tendon. 



Above, its posterior border is covered by the semi-ten- 

 dinosus ; interiorly, the same border is in relation with the 

 biceps femoris. 



In the ox, the two parts of the great gluteal muscle are 

 blended together. 



The long and broad fleshy band which they form 

 arises in a manner corresponding to that which we have 

 just indicated in connection with the horse, except that it 

 has no attachment to the femur. The fascia lata adheres 

 strongly to its anterior border for a considerable length. 

 The form of the superior border of the great gluteal muscle 

 of this animal differs from that of the analogous portion 

 in the horse. This difference results from the peculiar 

 aspect which the corresponding region of the pelvis presents, 

 and from the fact that, in the ox, as the semi-tendinosus 

 does not cover the portion of the great gluteal which 

 arises from the tuberosity of the ischium, the attach- 

 ments of this muscle to the sacro-sciatic ligament are 

 uncovered. 



Its descending portion, as a whole, has a rectilinear form, 

 and does not form a curve such as we indicated in the case 

 of the horse. 



The anterior portion of the great gluteal flexes the thigh. 

 As regards the posterior portion, it extends the thigh, and 

 abducts it. 



The action of this latter portion is particularly interesting 

 as regards the horse, because of the great development of 

 the muscular mass which this region presents in this animal. 

 If -the muscle takes its fixed point above, it acts, in the 

 extension of the thigh during walking, by projecting the 

 trunk forward during the whole time that the hind-limb to 

 which it belongs is in contact with the ground. If, on the 

 contrary, it takes its fixed point below, it makes the pelvis 

 describe a see-saw movement, upwards and backwards, on 

 the coxo- femoral articulation, and so contributes to the 

 action of rearing. 



