; 



THE ANATOMY OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. 



:^ 



Dee;p Temporal Plexus. — On reflecting the temporalis muscle, a 

 large and intricate venous plexus is seen. The largest of the 

 contributory veins cross the temporal fossa longitudinally under 

 cover of the zygoma, and communicate in front with the inter- 

 orbital veins. Two considerable branches pass in front of the 

 neck of the lower jaw to communicate with the superficial tem- 

 poral plexus, as also do some smaller branches at the anterior 

 border of the temporalis. 



Pterygoid Plexuses. — There is a complicated network of veins 

 overlying the pterygoideus externus, and communicating (1) with 

 the longitudinal veins of the deep temporal plexus ; (2) with the 

 internal maxillary vein ; and (3) with the superficial temporal 

 plexus, by means of the veins passing in front of the neck of the 

 lower jaw. 



When the pterygoideus externus is reflected, a free anastomosis 

 of large veins is found, which receives branches from (1) super- 

 ficial temporal; (2) deep temporal; (3) superficial pterygoid 

 plexuses ; (4) inferior dental veins ; (5) vense comites of menin- 

 geal artery. The plexus discharges into the internal jugular 

 vein by four large trunks. 



Pharyngeal Plexus. — This lies at the back of the mouth, and 

 has been noticed in the description of the pharynx. On each 

 side it receives muscular and vertebral veins ; the internal 

 jugular, with lingual, muscular, and facial branches ; the internal 

 maxillary ; and a descending palatine vein. A single transverse 

 branch connects the plexuses of the two sides. 



Pectoral Plexus. — Beneath the pectoralis is a plexus of great 

 extent and intricate arrangement, which effects communications 

 with the intercostal, internal jugular, axillary, and internal 

 mammary veins. 



These particulars will probably suffice respecting vascular 

 arrangements whose physiological interpretation is as yet so 

 obscure. The plexuses of the extremities lie usually in the hol- 

 lows of joints, and are both numerous, intricate, and capacious. 

 Our notes and drawings preserve many details which it is not 

 thought needful to describe in print. 



scribed the superficial temporal plexus of the elephant as arterial, an en-or cor- 

 rected by Dr Watson. The same mistake is repeated in Owen's Anatomy of Fer- 

 teh'ates, vol. iii. p. 548. 



