532 DR. J. MURIE ON THE ANATOMY OF THE SEA-LION. 
The proximal half of the manus has a tolerably smooth superior or dorsal surface ; 
the distal half has feebly marked phalangeal ridges. ‘The free ends of the phalangeal 
cartilages decrease slightly in breadth from without inwards—the outermost, or pollex, 
at the broadest portion, measuring 2 inches. 
There are indications of five nails, each represented by a small hollow or pit. ‘The 
outermost cr pollicial nail is placed 5 inches from the tip of the terminal cartilage of 
the digit; the next, or second digital nail, 2$ inches from the free end; the third digit 
has it 1} inch, and the fourth and fifth digits 14 inch distant from their tips. 
When the skin and subcutaneous tissues have been removed, and the deeper parts to 
some extent dissected, that portion of the free pectoral extremity between the elbow- 
and the wrist-joints presents a tolerably flattened and broad aspect. 
The manus, under the same dissected condition, has a very broad palmated appear- 
ance, the pollex being of very great proportions. 
Each digit diminishes in size from the pollex to the fifth, as the undermentioned 
respective lengths show. ‘These measurements are taken from the roots to the tips or 
free extremities, thus including the long spatulous-shaped terminal cartilages. 
Pollex or first digit _=14 inches. Fourth digit =5+ inches. 
Index or second digit =103 ,, Fifth digit =48 5 
Middle or third digit = 73 ,, 
The direction of the pollex is continuous with the long axis of the forearm. The 
second metacarpal bone inclines slightly towards that of the first digit; but its distal 
phalanges form by degrees a curve, which at length veers away from those of the 
pollex. ‘The third has a similar curve. The fourth metacarpal bone has a more back- 
ward angle; but this and the phalanges have altogether a straighter course. The fifth 
metacarpal and digit is like the hallux in the manner in which it is set and articulated 
with the carpal bones. ‘This digit is more obliquely directed, or more nearly at a right 
angle, than are the others. The terminal cartilage of the fifth digit has a slight curve 
or bend forwards—indeed, just as much divarication or spreading out as the pollicial 
cartilage has backwards. 
In the semidissected condition in question the carpal, metacarpal, and phalangeal 
bones are all more or less freely moveable, the one upon the other. 
4, Posterior Extremities—When the skin and subcutaneous tissues are removed 
from the groins, perineum, and ischio-rectal region, the peculiar position and general 
relation of the hind limbs to each other and to the above regions are best shown (see 
Pls. LXVIII. & LXXIII.). The two thighs are then seen to be placed at nearly right 
angles to the long axis of the body, whereas the tibia and fibula return to the axial line 
of the body, rather, however, bent inwards towards the ankle-joint. Asa consequence, 
the position and attachment of the various muscles in the regions above alluded to 
are so altered as scarcely to be recognized. What ordinarily in Mammals are superticial 
