OCR Text |
Show 372 PROF. K. VON BARDELBBEN ON THE [Apr. 17, e. CARNIVORA. 1. LINSANG GRACILIS. The gastrocnemius consists of two heads; insertion, tuberos. calcanei (behind). The soleus is represented only by a weak tendon (as very often the plantaris in Man). The plantaris, connected with the gastrocnemius, but divisible by the forceps, is very strong, fleshy till near the calcaneum ; it then becomes tendinous, passes the calcaneum, connected with it by the tendon-sheath, becomes again fleshy, and ends on the toes. No "fascia" plantaris is present (as in the Cat, Mivart). Nerve-supply by the plantaris medialis (proximal) and lateralis (distal). The flexores longi (subl. and prof.) do not cross each other, but continue separate and run down parallel, the profundus or fibularis being the stronger; the accessorius joins the latter (Dobson). The lumbricales spring from the profundus (fibularis). 2. VrVERHICULA MALACCENSIS. The plantaris is quite separate from the gastrocnemius and continues in the planta into the flexor brevis ; nerve-supply as in Linsang (plant, med. and lat.) (very similar to Linsang). 3. HERPESTES GRISEUS. In this animal there is also a continuation from the " plantaris " into the " flexor brevis." Nerve-supply as in Linsang and Viverricula, two branches coming from each nerve. C-CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL REMARKS. On comparing the bones and muscles of the distal parts of the mammalian limbs w e see:- (1) That the palmaris ends on the Pp. in Marsupials, Insectivora, some Rodentia,-while in some Carnivora there are only tendinous fibres going to that bone, and in higher mammals only traces of those connections are found. The palmaris can be separated into two muscles. (2) That the plantaris is inserted into the Ph. in Marsupials, Edentata, some Insectivora, while in higher forms it goes only to toes 1-5 or 2-5; finally w e see the tendons being united to an aponeurosis. In the superficial layer of the forearm and the leg w e have also the ulnaris internus (often separated into two muscles) going to the pisiform, and the gastrocnemius going to the calcaneum. I am not quite sure about the meaning of the tibialis medialis |