MYOLOGY 217 



the anterior surface of the superior extremity of the prin- 

 cipal metatarsal, the other into the second cuneiform bone. 



In the ox the same two portions of the tibialis anticus 

 exist, but with this capital difference — that the anterior 

 portion is fleshy, superficial, and blended for a great part of 

 its length with the common extensor of the toes. 



The portion which corresponds to that which is fleshy in 

 the horse arises from the tibia ; below, it ends on the inner 

 surface of the superior extremity of the metatarsus and the 

 cuneiform bones. That which represents the tendinous 

 part, which is also fleshy, as we have just pointed out, 

 arises above with the common extensor of the toes, from 

 the femur, in the fossa situated between the trochlea and 

 the external condyle ; whilst below, after having given 

 passage to the tendon of the preceding portion, as in the 

 horse, it is inserted into the metatarsus and the cuneiform 

 bones. 



In the pig, the tibialis anticus presents an arrangement 

 nearly similar to that which we have just described. 



It seems to us of interest to add that it has been sought 

 to ascertain to what muscle of the human leg the tendinous 

 part of the tibialis of the horse corresponds — a part which 

 has become fleshy in the pig and the ox. 



According to some authors, it represents the peroneus 

 tertius ; but that muscle is situated on the outer side of 

 the common extensor of the toes ; and here the portion with 

 which it has been compared is placed on the inside. It has 

 also been likened to a portion of the common extensor 

 of the toes, but it does not pass to the latter. Lastly, it has 

 been considered as being the homologue of the proper 

 extensor of the great-toe ; but why, then, in the ox, which 

 has no great-toe, is it so highly developed ? Nevertheless, 

 its position and its relations sufficiently warrant this method 

 of comprehending it. The tibialis anticus is a flexor of the 

 foot. It is also able, in animals in which the tarsal articula- 

 tions allow of the movement, to rotate the foot inwards. 



With regard to the tendinous part, called by veterin- 

 arians the cord of the flexor of the metatarsus, it serves, in 

 the horse, to produce the flexion of the metatarsus when 



