82 



ANIMAL MECHANICS. 



The distribution of the flexor tendons of the foot has been 

 carefully studied by Mr. Turner ("Trans.R.S.Edin."vol. xxiv. 

 p. 1 8 1 ), with the following results: — Out of fifty feet dis- 

 sected, the flexor hallucis gave off a slip ; to the second toe 

 only, in eleven instances ; to the second and third toes only, 

 in twenty instances ; to the second, third, and fourth toes 

 only, in eighteen instances ; and in one instance it gave slips 

 to the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes. 



The flexor digitorum, longus, in nine instances, gave off a 

 slip, previous to its subdivision, to the flexor tendon of the 

 hallux. 



Flexor hallucis of Man (Turner). 



Instances. Per cent 

 i. Slip to long flexor of second toe only, . u . 22 



2- Do. second and third toes only, ... 20 . 40 



3. Do. second, third, and fourth toes only, . 18 . 36 



4. Do. second, third, fourth, and fifth toes, 1 . 2 



Total, ... 50 100 



Prof. Schultze, of Rostock, also (Zeitschrift fiir wissen 

 schaftlichen Zoologie XVII., 1.) has published the results of 

 a similar examination of 100 human feet, as follows — 



Flexor hallucis of Man (Schultze). 



1. Slip to long flexor of second toe only, . 32 per cent. 



2. Do. second and third toes only, ... 58 „ 



3. Do. second, third, and fourth toes only, .10 ,, 



4. Do. second, third, fourth, and fifth toes, o 



Total, . . . 



100 



share of the work of grasping the ground in walking ; if this precaution be ne- 

 glected, it is found that great fatigue is caused, on a long march, in the flexor 

 muscle of the hallux, which, when the toes are turned outwards, is compelled 

 to do nesrly the whole work required. 



