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Show 282 MESSRS. B. C. A. WINDLE AND F. G. PARSONS ON [Nov. 3, Flexor tibialis {Flexor longus digitorum of human anatomy).- This rises from the upper part of the posterior surface of the tibia, and from the back of the head of the fibula just below the popliteus. In every case of which we have records it joins the flexor fibularis in the upper part of the tarsus. As a rule it only sends fibres to the tibial digits, while the flexor fibularis supplies them all. In the Elephant and Camel, however, the flexor tibialis is the larger tendon of the two. Like the flexor fibularis it is supplied by the posterior tibial nerve. Lumbricales.-Speaking generally, the Ungulates are not well provided with these muscles. In the Hippopotamidae, Gratiolet (III.) found one for the medius digit. In the Suidae they are apparently absent, at least they were so in our specimens (11,14), and we find no mention of them by other writers, nor are they drawn in Cuvier and Laurillard's plates (I.). In the rest of the Artiodactyla they are, we believe, always absent. In the Perissodactyla they are more constant. Chauveau (II.) describes two in the Horse, one from each side of the flexor perforans tendon. In the Tapir (61, 62) there are three, the outermost being much the largest. Among the Subungulata, Hyrax (74, 75) has two, which pass round the tibial sides of the medius and annularis digits; in our specimen (75) they were both supplied by the external plantar nerve. In the Elephant, Paterson and Dun found only one small lumbrical, which Avas on the tibial side of the medius digit and was supplied by the internal plantar nerve. Miall and Greenwood (XXIX.), however, describe some more superficial ones rising from the plantaris and being inserted into the plantar sheaths. Tibialis posticus.- This muscle, when it is present, rises from the upper part of the back of the tibia and joins the flexor fibularis in the upper part of the tarsus before that tendon unites with the flexor tibialis. W e have records of it in the following animals: Hippopotamus (3), Suidae (4, 7, 12, 13, 14), Camel (15) -here it is said to form the chief working part of the flexor perforans,-Chevrotain (20), Water-Chevrotain (24), Axis Deer (25), Ox (35, 36, 40), Sheep (41, 42), Goat (50, 51), Horse (63, 65). In the Elephant, according to Paterson and Dun, it rises from the tibia, fibula, and interosseous membrane, and is inserted into the dorsum of the bases of the second and third metatarsal bones as well as slightly into the first. Miall and Greenwood (XXIX.) and Anderson (XXVII.) agree with this, though neither of them found any insertion into the first metatarsal, but in Anderson's specimen it went to the fourth in addition to the second and third. It is certainly absent or quite fused with the flexor fibularis in many ungulates; thus Bronn (VI.), Meckel (VII.), and Cuvier say that it is absent in the order, and in the following animals it could not be made out:-Chevrotain (22), Brocket Deer (29), Gazelle, Sheep (47), Duiker-bok (54), Harnessed Antelope (55), Tapir (56, 61, 62), and Hyrax (74, 75). Its nerve-supply is the posterior tibial. |
