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Show 586 PROF. WATSON ON THE ANATOMY OF PROTELES. [June 20, The origin of the peronaus longus is confined in Proteles to the tibia and fibula, whereas in H. crocuta it has an additional origin from the external condyle of the femur. In this respect Proteles agrees with Viverra. The muscle in Proteles is inserted, as in H. striata and H. crocuta, into the fifth metatarsal alone, while in Viverra it is inserted into the first and fifth metatarsals. The peronaus brevis in Proteles gives off two tendons as in H. crocuta. One of these corresponds to the peronaeus quinti described by Macalister in Viverra. The interossei of Proteles resemble those of H. crocuta. They are eight in number, two being attached to each toe. In all respects, except those above mentioned, the muscular anatomy of Proteles exactly resembles that of H. crocuta. Professor Flower1 has expressed his opinion, founded on a careful examination of its skeleton and visceral anatomy, that Proteles should be placed in a family by itself allied to both Hyaenidae and Viverridae, but having closer affinities with the former. That conclusion is fully borne out by an examination of the muscular anatomy of the animal. For, while agreeing in many points above referred to with Viverra, the muscular system of Proteles as a whole presents a much closer approach to that of Hyana. A. H. Young2 has well summarized the differences between the muscular system of Viv.erra and Hyana as follows:- "In the Civet the cleido-mastoid is distinct from the sterno-mastoid ; there is also a well-marked splenius colli, and a separate trachelo-mastoid. Three scalene muscles are distinguishable; but in this respect one species of Hyana 3 (Hyana brunnea) agrees with the Civet. In the fore limb of Viverra the presence of a long supinator and a flexor brevis manus, together with the double nature of the palmaris longus, the absence of an ulnar insertion of the biceps, and the more marked development and differentiation of the hand muscles, is in striking contrast with what obtains in Hyana. " The hind limb of the Civet possesses an additional gluteus (quartus), and a semimembranosus, which is not attached to the adductor. There are also a well-developed soleus, and three separate peroneal muscles. Other points worthy of note are to be observed in the undivided condition of the sartorius, the double insertion of the pectineus, the caudal origin of the semitendinosus, and the prolongation of the plantaris tendon to form an origin for the flexor brevis digitorum, whilst in the foot, as in the hand, the intrinsic muscles are well-developed and differentiated. " In all these respects the Civet differs from the Hyana ; the enormous development of the muscles of the neck and fore quarters in the latter animal, which is so characteristic of its genus, bas no counterpart in the Civet." A n examination of the muscular anatomy of Proteles shows that in all these important particulars, with the single exception of that which relates to the scalene muscles, that genus agrees with Hyana and differs from Viverra. 1 Loc. cit. p. 496. 2 Journal of Anatomy, vol. xiv. p. 177. 3 Murie, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, vol. vii. |