JOl MESSKS. WATSON AND YOUNG ON THE [Jan. \4, 



to form a single broad tendon from which four slips are derived ; 

 tliese, after perforating the superficial flexor-tendons, are inserted 

 into the terminal phalanges of the toes. 



This fusion or junction of the tendons of the flexors hallucis and 

 digitorum exists in H. striata, the Dog, and Cat, and also in the 

 Civet. 



The Jlexor brevis digitorum (perforatus) in H. crocuta is confined 

 to the sole of the foot, and is represented solely by tendon, a muscular 

 belly being entirely vpanting. This tendinous structure is attached 

 posteriorly to the os calcis, and anteriorly divides into four slips, which, 

 splitting for the passage of the corresponding deep flexor tendons, 

 terminate on the sides of the second phalanges of their respective 

 toes. Quite different is the arrangement in H. striata, in which the 

 flexor brevis digitorum is described by Meckel as a prolongation of 

 the tendon of the plantaris, receiving additional muscular fibres in the 

 sole from the fourth metatarsal bone. The Civet presents a similar 

 disposition, the additional muscular fibres being, however, derived 

 from the os calcis. In the Cat a distinct muscular belly exists, 

 springing from the tendon of the plantaris i. 



Musculus accessorius. — This muscle exists in H. crocuta, exceed- 

 ingly small and slender. About one inch in length, it stretches from 

 the "front of the os calcis to join the tendon of the long flexor on its 

 outer side. Meckel does not note its presence in H. striata, whilst 

 Douglas avers its absence in the Dog. Chauveau, however, speaks of 

 its existence as a small undeveloped muscle in both the Dog and Cat*. 

 It exists well marked in Viverra. 



Lumbricales are three in number, as in the fore foot. They all 

 spring from the tendons of the long flexor, and join those of the short. 

 Their arrangement is as follows.— The first lumbrical arises from the 

 superficial aspect of the deep tendon before its subdivision, and passes 

 to the slip of the flexor brevis which is distributed to the third toe ; 

 the second arises below the first, but joins the same tendon of the 

 flexor brevis ; whilst the third arises from the point of bifurcation of 

 the deep tendons going to the two outer toes, and is inserted into the 

 tendon of the flexor brevis to the fourth toe. 



(iVb^e. — In speaking numerically of the respective toes, we include 

 the rudimentary hallux.) 



The interossei of the hind foot constitute a set of small muscular 

 bundles, two to each toe, excluding the hallux. They all spring 

 from the plantar aspect of the proximal extremities of the metatarsal 

 bones, and pass upon either side of these bones to their distal ends, 

 where they are inserted partly into the sesamoid bones and also into 

 the extensor-tendons of the same toe ; as pointed out by Meckel, they 

 exercise principally the function of flexors. 



Extensor longus digitorum is, as usual, in Carnivores femoral in 

 origin, springing from the outer surface of the external condyle. 

 Its tendon passes, along with that of the tibialis anticus, beneath the 

 annular ligament, and gives off" three slips, which are distributed to 

 the second, third, and fourth toes, none passing to the little or outer 

 1 Meckel, loc. vif. p. 451. ' Loc. cit. p. 311. 



