344 MESSRS. MURIE AND MIVART ON THE [Apr. 11 
and are inserted into sesamoid bones, one on each side of the distal 
ends of the metacarpals, the sesamoids acting on the proximal pha- 
langes by means of the connecting fascize (fig. 7, I. I. I.). 
Besides these four pairs, there are also four single interosseous 
muscles. 
The first covers the inner side of the index metacarpal, and is vi- 
sible on the dorsum, as before mentioned. It arises from the whole 
length of that bone, and is inserted ‘within the innermost sesamoid 
(fiz. 7,02): 
The second is a thin muscular slip, lying between the third and 
fourth metacarpals, rather on their plantar surfaces. It arises, in 
common with the other interossei, from the fascia before mentioned, 
and is inserted by a delicate tendon into the inner side of the prox- 
imal phalanx of the fourth digit (fig. 7, I. 2). 
The third (close adjoining the last, and similar in form) lies on 
the outer side of the second. It has a similar origin, but is inserted 
into the inner sesamoid bone of the fourth digit (fig. 7, J. 3). 
The fourth arises from the fascia on the inner side of the pisiform 
bone, and is inserted into the inside of the middle phalanx of the 
fifth digit (fig. 7, I. 4). 
On the dorsum of the hand only the inner interosseous of the 
index is visible. 
Muscles of the Lower Extremity. 
The gluteus maximus has an attachment by aponeurosis along the 
crest of the ilium, being continuous with the lumbar fascia, also with 
an origin from the middle of the sacrum and the caudal vertebre. It 
forms a thin sheet of muscular fibre, covering the outer side of the 
thigh. Posteriorly it is firmly adherent to the biceps, and is inserted 
along with the upper part of that muscle into the aponeurosis cover- 
ing the outer surface of the limb, and which aponeurosis is attached 
to the patella (fig. 11, G.maw.). This muscle has been described as 
in perfect continuity with the biceps; but we could distinctly trace 
the line of separation—although it was not so very clear above, by 
reason of the overlapping of this muscle by the biceps ; but, on dis- 
secting from below, the line of demarcation was readily traceable. 
At pages 354 and 406, Meckel describes part of this muscle as 
corresponding to the tensor vaginze femoris, and seems to confound 
with it more or less of the biceps. 
The gluteus medius is very large and entirely fleshy, thin in the 
middle and thick at its borders, thus differing from muscles in general. 
It arises from the whole outer surface of the ilium, from the sacrum 
and caudal vertebree, as far back as the origin of the semitendinosus. 
It is inserted into the third trochanter, except a small portion of its 
anterior part, which joins the aponeurosis of the gluteus maximus 
going to the patella (fig. 11, G.med.). We cannot agree with 
Meckel* in saying that it is smaller than the gluteus maximus. 
The gluteus minimus is an extraordinarily thick and powerful muscle, 
* Loc. cit. p. 309. 
