134 THE OSTEOLOGY AND MYOLOGY OF 



it subserves the motion of the two bones upon each other, and may be the homotype of 

 the pronator radii quadratus. The peculiar construction of the gastrocnemii and the rela- 

 tions of their tendons, has probably something to do in producing, or in aiding in the pro- 

 duction of, the movements of the tibia and fibula upon each other. 



The only muscle upon the dorsum of the foot has been already described. The plantar 

 muscles are large and numerous, consisting of lumbricales, interossei, and the several spe- 

 cial muscles of the great and little toes. The flexor brevis digitorum accessorius and trans- 

 versus pedis, of anthropotomy, are wanting ; the abductor pollicis is scarcely demonstrable 

 as distinct from the flexor brevis pollicis. There is a calcaneo-metatarsal muscle not found 

 in man. The chief flexor of the great toe has a curious disposition, of which I have seen 

 no previous account. 



Lumhricales. — (Fig. 35, seen attached to the tendon, u.) Four in number, all well 

 developed. The first lies upon the tibial side of the tendon of the second toe ; the others 

 arise from the bifurcations between the other three tendons ; all have intimate connection 

 with the tendons of the superficial digital flexor. They form little terete bellies, each with 

 a long, slender tendon, that runs along the inner side of a toe to the base of the second 

 phalanx, where it is inserted. 



Flexor hrevis pollicis. — (Fig. 35, /and g.) This forms the chief ball of the great toe. 

 It lies upon the first metatarsal, and consists of distinct halves, separated from each 

 other by the stout tendon of the muscle next described. The two bundles lie parallel 

 with each other, and are inserted respectively into the inner and outer sides of the base 

 of the first phalanx. Each one embraces a sesamoid bone. The outer half has extensive 

 origin from the inner surface of the closely appressed cartilaginous spur. This muscle 

 might possibly be regarded as two, and the outer part be taken to represent an abductor 

 8. opponens pollicis. But the action of the two halves is the same — simple flexion. 



Flexor hrevis pollicis ohliqiius. — (Fig. 35, i.) The great toe has another short flexor; 

 a distinct and very curious muscle, that I shall have to describe under this name, not know- 

 ing what, if any, name it has already received. It arises by a short, stout, fleshy head 

 from the whole of the depression on the outer (fibular) aspect of the os calcis. It curves 

 around the lower border of this bone, between it and the short muscle of the little toe, and 

 then suddenly contracts to a stout, flattened tendon, that traverses the sole diagonally (par- 

 allel with the course of the peroneus longus tendon). As it crosses the conjoined tendon of 

 the flexor longus digitorum, it is firmly attached to the inner (tibial) side of the latter, just at 

 the point where the flexor longus pollicis is similarly attached ; it is, moreover, inseparably 

 connected with the last named. Without losing its individuality by the blending of these 

 tendons with it, it continues on to the first metatarsal, where it lies deeply embedded be- 

 tween the two parts of the muscle last described. Emerging, it finally passes to be inserted 

 into the base of the last phalanx of the great toe, of which it is the chief and proper flexor. 

 As it passes the first phalanx it is bound down by a distinct, stout, transverse band. While 

 the flexor profundus digitorum of the hand has five tendons, one for each digit, the corres- 

 ponding muscle of the foot has lost its pollical tendon, unless we can find it in this muscle. 

 I am inclined to regard it as the displaced pollical fasciculus of the common long flexor of 

 the toes. Notwithstanding its peculiar origin and diagonal course, it is inseparably con- 

 nected with the tendon of the common digital flexor ; and, moreover, the size and general 

 appearance of its tendon, and particularly its mode of connection with the great toe, are 

 precisely the same as those of a tendon of the digital flexor. In opposition to this view, 



