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Show 1873.] CERTAIN M U S C L E S O F B I R D S . 643 The Struthiones present marked peculiarities. In Apteryx the postacetabular portion of the tensor fasciae is very large, and slightly overlapped at the lowest point of its origin by the posterior superior portion of the semitendinosus. The semitendinosus is well developed, and has a broad accessory head. The accessory femoro-caudal is peculiar; for, on removing the biceps cruris, its su- Fig. 6. Outer view of thigh of Apteryx owenii, dissected. s, sartorius; tfi tensor fascia?; bo and bi, biceps, origin and insertion; gl, i and iv, gluteus primus and quartus; st, semitendinosus; ast, accessory semitendinosus; sm, semimembranosus; sfc, superficial femoro-caudal; fc, femoro-caudal; afc, accessory femoro-caudal; Ad, adductor. The asterisk on the semimembranosus is on the spot at which its second or true insertion is; the other asterisk is placed on the slip of the accessory femoro-caudal (in this case specially modified), which is found in Struthious birds and the Tinamous only, above the sciatic vessel and nerve. perficial portion is seen running obliquely upwards and forwards to the whole length of the linea aspera of the femur, from its usual origin. The sciatic artery and nerve are superficial to this muscle (adductor longus of Owen), and parallel to its insertion, as in most birds ; but they, as is not the case except in the Struthiones and Crypturi, perforate it at the sciatic notch, leaving a small portion of the muscle (the adductor brevis of Owen) above them. The anterior 41* |
