MR. J. C. GALTON ON DASYPUS SEXCINCTUS. 5(33 



plantar fascia, at about the junction of the cuboid with the metatarsal bone of the fifth 

 digit; and which is inserted into the outer side of the base of the proximal phalanx ol* 

 this digit. 



The true homologies of this muscle, which was so small that I nearly overlooked its 

 presence, appear to be by no means easy of determination. 



Interossei. — These somewhat delicate muscles are five in number, and radiate to their 

 respective insertions from a common origin at the strong plantar ligament, where this 

 crosses over the tendon of the peroneus lonym as it passes along the sole to the hallux. 



The first (innermost) of these muscles proceeds to the fibular side of the base of the 

 proximal phalanx of the hallux. 



The second and third pass one to either side of the same element of the second digit. 



The fourth terminates at the tibial side of the base of the proximal phalanx of the 



fourth digit. 



The fifth passes to the same side of the ungual phalanx of the fifth digit {ppponem 



digitiquinti?). This muscle, like the interossens despatched to the corresponding digit 

 in the fore limb, is the most considerable in size of the plantar interossei. 



It will be seen that the middle digit possesses no interosseus, unless it be (which is not 

 improbably the case) that the third passes to its tibial side. In this case the interossei 



may be regarded as abductors towards an imaginary line drawn through the intermeta- 

 carpal space between the second digit and hallux. 



Lumbricales. — These muscles are no less than seven in number. They take origin 

 from four primary stocks or trunks, which are situated in the angles of the interspaces of 

 the five branches of the deep flexor tendon, at the point of divergence of these latter 

 from the sesamoid bone imbedded in this tendon, the two middle trunks arising slightly 

 in advance of the two outer lumbrical stocks. 



The outer or fibular stock divides into two thin muscular slips; one of which passes 

 to the tibial side of the fifth digit, whilst the other terminates at the fibular side of the 



fourth digit. 



The next lumbrical stock, which arises in the interspace between the &w\> flexor tendons 



of the third and fourth digits, passes, without division, to the tibial side of the fourth 



digit. 



The inner of the two middle stocks divides into two branches ; one of which proceeds 



to the tibial side of the third digit, the other to the fibular side of the second digit. 



The inner or tibial stock also divides into two slips, of which one proceeds to the tibial 

 side of the second digit, the other to the fibular side of the hallux. 



Of these seven lumbricales, the hallux, third, and fifth digits possess but one, the 

 former on its fibular, the two latter on their tibial sides ; while the second and fourth 

 dibits have one on each side. 





Tor the bibliography of the subject with which this paper deals, and for any general 

 remarks which I may have occasion to make thereon, I refer to a forthcoming paper 

 upon Orycteropus Capensis. 



VOL. XXVI. 



4 i 



