1865.] MYOLOGY OF HYRAX CAPENSIS. 337 
its anterior two-thirds. It does not go to form a Poupart’s liga- 
ment, nor an outer inguinal ring; but the fibres converge opposite 
the crest of the ilium, and proceed by a pointed fasciculus, which is 
inserted upon the adductors of the femur to the outer side of the 
pyramidalis muscle. At its insertion, the fibres are very weak and 
reduced to a mere fascia. Meckel * says that those animals in 
which the testicles do not descend externally offer no trace of an 
inguinal ring ; and this is a characteristic example. 
The internal oblique and transversalis were closely united toge- 
ther. They offered no remarkable peculiarities, except their attach- 
ment to many ribs. 
From the mutilated condition of the specimen, we could not make 
out with certainty the boundaries and attachments of the rectus ab- 
dominis ; but, according to Meckelf, it is wide, attached anteriorly 
to the sternum, high up, and all the ribs to the first. 
We found the pyramidalis unmistakeably present in our specimen, 
although this would seem to be opposed to what Meckel says with 
reference to the non-existence of this muscle generally, and to his 
unsuccessful search for it in the Hyraxt. It is inserted into the 
symphysis pubis, as usual. 
Muscles of the Fore Limb. 
The pectoralis major arises from the anterior three-fourths of the 
sternum, the median raphe between it and its fellow of the opposite 
side being very slight. At its upper border, between the anterior 
end of the sternum and the head of the humerus, it is closely con- 
nected with the cephalo-humeral or first part of the sterno-cleido- 
mastoid, which covers its insertion into the humerus. The p. major 
bifurcates opposite the axilla, the posterior part being inserted into 
the fascia of the forearm just beneath the olecranon, the anterior 
part into the humerus external to the biceps (fig. 4, P. maj.). The 
pectoral muscles are very adherent to each other, but still their limits 
are easily traced. We did not find two layers in the pectoralis major, 
as Meckel§ mentions. We fancy, from his description, that he has 
included a portion at least of the Pp. minor, and possibly part of the 
panniculus carnosus, in his description of this muscle. At its in- 
sertion into the humerus, this muscle has a pouch-like fold, the con- 
cavity being turned forwards and inwards. 
The pectoralis minor has an origin from the lower half of the 
sternum, and it is inserted into the greater tuberosity of the humerus 
(fig. 4, P. min.). At a short distance from its insertion a strong 
muscular slip is given off, which diverges slightly and joins the sterno- 
scapular muscle. At its outer border, the fibres of the Pp. minor are 
joined almost at right angles by those of the large panniculus car- 
nosus, as previously described. As Meckel does not mention this 
muscle in the Hyrax, we suppose he has included it in his descrip- 
tion of the p. major, as we have indicated above. 
* Loe. cit. p. 194, t Loe. cit. p. 208. 
~£ Loe. cit. p. 203. § Loe. cit. p. 270. 
