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In the Halford versus Thomson controversy at Melbourne, Gray's Anatomy has been triumphantly cited by the victor in the strife, as giving a most lucid and intelligible account of the lower insertion of the tibialis anticus. It is surprising that any doubt could have existed as to these facts. Turning, however, to the subject of the dispute which arose in the Zoological Section of the British Association,* it is noticeable to remark that the words used by Dr. Gray with respect to the origin, course, and insertion of the flexor longus pollicis, are such as convey no idea of farther divarication of its distal portion than as follows:

"This tendon passes through a groove on the posterior surface of the tibia, external to that of the tibialis posticus and flexor longus digitorum; it then passes through another groove on the posterior extremity of the astragalus, and along a third groove, beneath the tubercle of the os calcis, into the sole of the foot, where it runs forwards between the two heads of the flexor brevis pollicis, and is inserted into the base of the last phalanx of the great toe. The grooves in the astragalus and os calcis which contain the tendon of the muscle, are converted by tendinous fibres into distinct canals, lined by synovial membrane; and as the tendon crosses the sole of the foot, it is connected to the common flexor by a tendinous slip." (P. 314.)

This statement may be contrasted with that in the Edinburgh Review (April 1863).

"In addition to this structure, the grasping power of the foot of the gorilla and orang is strengthened in a very peculiar manner. Every anatomist knows that the muscle termed flexor longus pollicis pedis originates from the lower portion of the outer bone of the leg or fibula, and that its solitary tendon passes along the sole of the foot, and is eventually inserted into the base of the last joint of the great toe. The whole force of the muscle is here concentrated; and the dancer who pirouettes on tiptoe exhibits a striking example of the power and force of this muscle in man. When we turn, however, to the foot of the orang, a totally different structure presents itself. The homologous muscle there is terminated in three tendons, each of which is inserted in one of the three middle toes, forming a beautiful grasping organ, wherewith the orang ascends the highest trees in Borneo.....

"When we turn to the gorilla, the homologous muscle divides into three slips, the first and smallest is attached to the third joint of the great toe, the second slip is attached to the third joint of the third toe, and the third slip is attached to the third joint of the fourth toe. It will be obviously seen that the second and third slips in the gorilla have no direct representative in man. They are essentially climbing, and not standing, muscles." (P. 551.)

The above popular exposition has been criticised as if it necessarily contradicted the facts, made known to us by Church and Turner, re

Anthropological Review, vol. i, p. 457.

specting the frequent diversion of branches of the tendon of the long flexor to the second and third toes. Critics will do well to refer to the elegant and lucid description of Gray, which comprises the sum of the known facts before us.

The woodcuts in this work are especially beautiful; and we would select for approval those which relate to the nervous centres, which are far superior to the illustrations of the same sort in any English work familiar to us; although a comprehensive series of diagrams, after the plan of the excellent ones devised by Mr. W. H. Flower, might advantageously have been introduced.

Perhaps, however, in spite of the drawback to which we have above alluded, the best part of the work is that relating to osteology; and, while turning over the pages, we were forcibly reminded of a very curious. consideration dependent on the state of anatomical teaching in England. It may not be generally known that a very large proportion of the specimens on which anatomical students "study the bones", and which they fondly imagine to be those of their compatriots in Europe, or which perhaps may be labelled in some anatomical museums as "English", are really the relics of departed Africans. These specimens are now imported duty free, as objects of natural history", through France, in large quantities. We are unable to trace their history further; and we prefer not to offer any conjecture as to the origin of a practice which ultimately may seriously bewilder the minds of those students who, anxious to draw monogenistic conclusions, are unable to see any real specific difference between the skeletons on their own tables, and those unmistakable and recognised Negroes who are to be found in the public museums.

The last number of the Proceedings of the Royal Society contains the abstract of a highly important paper by John Wood, Esq., F.R.C.S., Demonstrator of Anatomy in King's College, London, in which the results of fifteen years' observations on more than six hundred subjects are embodied.

"The author classifies these muscular variations as follows, viz.:"Variations with redundancy. 1st. Those which have an origin in a development totally independent of any other muscles or tendons. "2nd. Those which consist of extensions or offsets from normal muscles or tendons, and of muscular fibres replacing tendons, and tendinous fibres intersecting muscles.

"3rd. Those which are formed by simple areolar separation or segregation of muscles.

"These are given in the order of their rarity, and of their comparative value in reference to the muscular anatomy of the lower animals. "Variations with deficiency. 1st. Those produced by total suppression of the gérms of muscles.

"2nd. Those resulting from amalgamation with neighbouring muscles.

"3rd. Those from atrophy or degeneration subsequent to their formation.

"All the illustrations belong to the former class, which supply the most fitting subjects for them.

In

"The frequency of varieties of all kinds in the human subject is very great. Few subjects are to be found entirely free from them. Muscular variations are rather more common in the male sex. them, also, variations with redundancy calculated to increase muscular power, such as are classed in the second division of that section, are more common, but may be also associated in the same individual with anomalies from defect or diminution. The same individual is frequently found subject to more than one irregularity, a muscular irregularity of a marked kind being generally associated with several others. Probably the source is hereditary, as is undoubtedly the case with those which result in deformity. Muscular variations are more common in the arm, back, leg, and head, and least common, as a rule, in the abdomen, the groin excepted. They are generally more or less symmetrical, though often much more evident on one side than the other. Distinct developments are usually found on both sides. Variations by redundancy more frequent or more developed on the right side; those from deficiency on the left.

"Variations by simple reduplication. The following muscles have been observed double, or in two distinct layers :-Pectoralis major and minor; gluteus maximus; soleus; pyramidalis abdominis; pyriformis; subclavius.

"Variations by deficiency. The following have been seen totally deficient :-Psoas parvus; palmaris longus; superior and inferior gemellus, extensor minimi digiti; pyramidalis abdominis; pyriformis; peronæus tertius; extensor primi internodii pollicis; trapezius; plantaris and palmaris brevis (rarely).

"The following have been seen partly deficient:-Trapezius; omohyoid; sterno-hyoid; serratus magnus; internal oblique and transversalis abdominis; soleus."

Some of the other observed varieties are very singular. More than thirty-two examples are given, but we must only select a few, referring to the abstract of Mr. Wood's excellent paper (Proc. Royal Society, No. 65, p. 299) for further particulars.

"Levator clavicula.-Clavio- or acromio-trachelian, observed in two subjects, on both sides, arising with the levator anguli scapula from the third and fourth cervical transverse processes, and inserted into the outer third of the clavicle under the trapezius. Found in all the ape tribe."

"Broad slips from pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, passing across axillary vessels and nerves, and attached, low down the arm, to the aponeurosis inserted into the inner condyle of humerus and olecranon process. These slips are highly developed in some of the anthropoid apes; the former especially in the gibbon. The same

subject, a muscular male, shewed also a high and large origin of the pronator radii teres in common with the brachialis anticus."

"Palmaris longus, with inverted belly and double origin, the additional one (tendinous) from the oblique line of the radius above the flexor sublimis. Given off from it also is the flexor brevis minimi digiti. A precisely similar arrangement of this very uncertain muscle not before recorded. A somewhat similar arrangement found in the Cebus and Magot."

"Striking abnormality seen in two male subjects on both sides. A long tendon, with bulky, muscular belly above, arising from the outer condyloid ridge of humerus with the extensor carpi radialis longior, and inserted in one case into the base of the first metacarpal bone and origin of the abductor pollicis, and in the other passing entirely into the latter muscle. Not before recorded.

"Extensor primi internodii pollicis et indicis.-Arising by a distinct belly above the indicator, going along with that muscle, and giving off two tendons, one to be implanted outside the indicator tendon, and the other to supply the place of the extensor primi internodii pollicis. Not before recorded in the human subject. Found in the dog."

"In a hand from the subject before given in 9 and 17, all the dorsal interossei were arranged in two portions easily separable. In the first interosseous space the abductor indicis was very distinctly divided into a posterior part, arising in the usual manner, and inserted into the base of the first phalanx; and an anterior, arising from the first metacarpal, and inserted partly (by a small slip) into the second metacarpal, but chiefly (by a very distinct tendon) into the dorsal expansion of the common extensor tendon of the index. Not before recorded in the human subject. A similar arrangement found in the gorilla and other simiæ."

"Separation of the anterior fibres of the gluteus minimus into a distinct muscle homologous with the scansorius of Traill, or invertor femoris of Owen, found in the orang and others of the ape tribe."

"Peroneus quinti digiti.—In most instances a tendinous, but in one a fleshy offset from the peroneus brevis, below the outer ankle-bone to the expansion of the common extensor tendon of the little toe. Very frequent in the human subject, usual in the apes."

"Tibialis anticus tendon divided into three parts, going respectively to the inner cuneiform, base of metatarsal, and first phalangeal bone of the great toe. The last-mentioned offset not before recorded. Similar arrangement in the quadrumana."

"Abductor ossis metatarsi quinti.— A distinct muscle found by the author in more than one-half of the subjects in which he has looked for it, concealed by the outer part of the plantar fascia and abductor minimi digiti muscle, arising from the outer tubercle of the os calcis by a round fleshy belly, and inserted into the base of the fifth metatarsal by a distinct round tendon. Not before observed in the human subject. Found in the gorilla and chimpanzee by Huxley and Flower.

"Opponens minimi digiti.-Very commonly found, though not de

scribed in anatomical text-books. Arises tendinous from the ligament of the fifth metatarsal and cuboid, and inserted in a bipennate way into the whole length of the fifth metatarsal bone. Found well developed in all the apes."

The consideration of these and many other interesting abnormalities should be postponed until Mr. Wood's paper shall appear at length in the Transactions of the Royal Society.

A CHRONICLE OF ENGLAND.*

ONE of the most beautiful, as well as the most elegant histories of England is before us, illustrated in a manner reflecting the highest credit on the artist, the chromo-lithographer, and the printer, and equalling the magnificent works of La Croix and Seré, Pugin, or the costly productions of the foreign historiographers, whilst it replaces entirely the Strutt of our fathers, or the costume books of the present day. The style of dress adopted by nations is so legitimately comprised within ethnographical study, and is even so intimately connected with local peculiarities, that the work of Mr. Doyle is undoubtedly within the limits of our criticism. In the British isles, for example, without referring to such broad race distinctions as prevail between the Celtic and Teutonic groups of costume, there exist such local forms of dress as the hat of the Welsh peasant woman, the loose silk kerchief of the factory girl, the flat bonnet and short jacket which the Cheviot peasant defiantly wears to distinguish himself from the Scotsman on the other side of the hill, the smock-frock of the majority of agricultural labourers, the diminutive and abbreviated representative of it which is confined to a small district in southeastern Sussex, the Guernsey jacket, the "wide-awake" hat (truly the successor of the petasos of Mercury), or many other articles of clothing which might be suggested.

All these form essential characters of the costume of England, as represented by its poorer classes, at the present day, and from this point of view may be advantageously contrasted with the dresses of the past population, as depicted in the beautiful chromo-lithographs before us. The whole subject is so intimately connected with art, commerce, and even with political partizanship, that it is difficult to consider it from a purely ethnographical basis.

For a most lucid idea of the costume of some of the aboriginal

* A Chronicle of England, B.C. 55-A.D. 1485; written and illustrated by Jas. E. Doyle. London: Longmans. 4to. 1864.

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