516 Mr. J. Wood on Variations in Human Myology. [June 18, 



and inserted with it into the groove of the great trochanter. In one of 

 these males (No. 4), and in the female (No. 19), the superior gemellus^ 

 which usually intervenes, was entirely absent on both sides, and in one 

 other male (No. 17) on the right side only. In the other instances it was 

 inserted into the common tendon. On the right side of the female (No. 1 9) 

 the inferior gemellus was also absent. In two females the pyriformis 

 muscle was divided into two parts, between which passed a portion of the 

 great sciatic nerve. This is a frequent and striking abnormality usually 

 noticed by anatomical writers upon the subject, 



43. Plantaris. — In the right leg of the male (No. 3) a double muscular 

 belly was found, both joining a single tendon rather larger than usual. In 

 both legs of the female (No. 22) a muscular slip, nearly equal in size to 

 the normal belly, passed from the inner side of 



its origin to be inserted upon the posterior liga- g (Subject No. 7). 



ment of Winslow, close to the insertion of the semi- 

 membranosus-tendon, and under the inner head of 

 the gastrocnemius. This curious slip appeared to 

 be an instance of a development of muscular fibres 

 in the substance of a tendon, similar to that un- 

 usual one which is seen in the tendon of the pe- 

 roneus quinti (fig. 10). In its origin and direc- 

 tion, however, it has some resemblance to the 

 third head of the gastrocnemius muscle found in 

 the left leg of the male (No. 7), and marked in 

 the Table among the sundries (col. 56). It may, 

 perhaps, be most convenient to describe it in this 

 place. A fleshy tapering head of muscle of con- 

 siderable size arose from the middle portion of the 

 popliteal surface of the femur just above the con- 

 dyles (fig. 9, a). Opposite to the knee-joint it 

 was joined on the outer side by a broad tendinous 

 slip (b), arising from the posterior ligament of 

 Winslow close to the plantaris muscle (c). The 

 two on joining, formed a considerable bundle of 

 muscular fibres, which, increasing slightly as it 

 descended, joined the inner head of the gastrocne- 

 mius just before its union with the outer. This 

 abnormality resembled in some respects that de- 

 scribed by R. Quain (plate 80. figs. 4 & 5), in 

 which a third head, arising from the outer femoral 

 condyle, crossed the space between the popliteal 

 artery and vein, and finally joined the deep sur- 

 face of the outer head. Henle also describes a 

 third head, arising from the popliteal surface 

 of the femur, and ending in a cylindrical tendon vv^hich spread out 



