THE ANATOMY OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. 13 



dyle of the humerus, about on a level with flexor carpi racUalis, 

 but anterior to it. This ligament passes obliquely over the 

 muscles and vessels, and is inserted into the middle of the 

 radius for about two inches, expanding greatly over the bone. 

 Beneath it, towards the radial extremity, are some muscular 

 fibres, which spread out towards their insertion as a small trian- 

 gular muscle, continuous with the ligament, and covered by it 

 superficially. 



C. and L., 283, figs. 1, 2 («). 



Flexor carpi radialis arises by a flat tendon from the back of 

 the internal condyle of the humerus, passes directly along the 

 inner side of the fore-arm, and ends in a round tendon, which 

 occupies a distinct sheath connected with the annular liga- 

 ment. The tendon is finally inserted rather deeply into the 

 carpus. This muscle is remarkably elastic. When cut, it is 

 retracted 3 inches, and is seen to be composed of regular alter- 

 nate layers of muscular and elastic fibres in about equal propor- 

 tions. The muscular fibres predominate towards the deeper 

 surface, and also towards the origin of the muscle. This unex- 

 pected structural peculiarity would give rigidity to the limb, 

 when it is extended in a perfectly straight line. When the 

 animal stands, the toes are, so to speak, over-extended, so that 

 the Jlexor carpi radialis, stretched like the chord across an arc, 

 tends to draw the carpus upwards and forwards, and opposes the 

 flexors. When, on the other hand, flexion has carried the limb 

 in the least beyond the neutral line, the elastic band assists the 

 flexors, drawing the carpus upwards and backwards, 



C. and L.— 283, figs. 1, 2 (7) ; 284, fig. 2 (7). 



Elastic ligament of outer side of fore-arm. — Connected with the 

 external condyle of the humerus is a very strong flattened band, 

 composed partly of yellow elastic, but chiefly of white fibrous 

 tissue. This passes down along the outer side of the fore-arm, 

 and blends on its anterior and posterior borders with the strong 

 fascia of that part of the limb. Opposite the upper fourth of the 

 bones of the fore-arm, this ligamentous band spreads out laterally, 

 becomes greatly thickened, and is converted almost wholly 

 into yellow elastic tissue. It continues to widen as far as 2 

 inches above the lower end of the ulna, where it divides into 

 two portions ; of which the anterior and stronger is inserted into 



