OCR Text |
Show 1876.] MR. F. J. BELL ON MOSCHUS MOSCHIFERUS. 187 Pig is, that it terminates on the proximal end of the metatarsal, of on the second cuneiform. The extensor metatarsi anterior, and the extensor digitorum communis are barely separable in the muscular portions, as in the Sheep, Deer, Hyomoschus, and the Pig. The external extensor crosses over the tarsus, in close company with the proper extensors of the fourth and fifth digits; in the Sheep, as might be supposed, and in C. virginianus, the proper extensor of the fifth is absent. Save in this particular, there is no variation in the arrangement of this external extensor in Ruminants from that which obtains in the Pig. 3. Posterior face of the metatarsus; no muscles are inserted into it. C. Muscles of the digits. a. Anterior face. (1) Extensor digiti quinti. (2) „ ,, quarti. (3) „ digitorum communis. (4) „ digiti tertii. (1) The tendon of this muscle is in close proximity to that of the extensor dig. quarti, till it approaches the phalangeal or distal end of the metatarsus, where it widens, separates from it, and is inserted into the third phalanx of the fifth digit. It is absent in C. virginianus, as in the Sheep. (2) This muscle terminates by a broadened strong tendon, on the second phalanx of the fourth digit, as in the Sheep, Cervus, Hyomoschus, and the Pig. (3) The common extensor has only two branches, which end in the third phalanges of the median digits, as in Cervus virginianus; but the same muscle has four branches in Hyomoschus, as in the Pig- though only two in Tragulus, as in the manus. (4) In close connexion with the common extensor arises the extensor of the internal digit, which terminates in the second phalanx of the third, and the third phalanx of the second digit. No branch for the second digit was found in C. virginianus; but the lateral digits of the pes have no metatarsal bones at all, although there are small metacarpals in the manus. Chatin notes no internal flexor in Hyomoschus, which is strange, as the muscle is found in the Pig and in Tragulus, as well as in the Sheep and Cervus. 3. Posterior face. (1) Perforatus. (2) Perforans. (3) Flexor obliquus. The perforatus muscle has been already spoken of; it only now remains to be added that it has only two branches, as in the manus. The perforans, again, has but two tendons, and those for the median |