IV. Variations in human myology observed during the Winter session of 1866-67 at King's college, London

A largely increased number of abnormalities has been the result of a systematic observation of thirty-six subjects during the past winter session. This has been owing partly to the comprehension of one or two irregularities which are commonly referred to in systematic works on anatomy,—such as the coronoid origin of the flexor pollicis longus and the insertion of. the extensor ossis metacarpi pollicis, partly to the more productive results of a vigilant superintendence, an increased efficiency in the dissections. For much of this the author’s thanks are due to the able help of his assistants, Messrs. Perrin and Amsden, and the intelligent gent zeal of many of the anatomical class. Mainly, no doubt, the increase is owing to an absolutely larger number of abnormalities. The value of the observations to the author is, of course, much increased by his having personally and thoroughly examined every specimen before noting it down, and, if possessing sufficient interest or novelty, sketching it from the subject. The exact numerical results thus arrived at have, in almost all important particulars, confirmed, but in some modified, the conclusions as to frequency and coincidence given in the author’s former papers. What the author has termed the lines of variation, i. e. the particular muscles which are by far most commonly affected, are nearly identical with those of last year, as will be found by comparing the columns of the appended Table with those of the former. Only a few different will be found in the columns occupied by the sundry specimens. Out of the total number of 295 abnormalities of muscles in 34 subjects showing abnormalities (as compared with 132 in 32 subjects of last year), we have in the head and neck 11 muscles affected with varieties, as compared with 10 of last year. In the arm we have 30 lines of muscular variation as compared with 26; while in the leg we have 20 as compared with 14 in last year’s subjects.