The semimembranosus is large and arises from the ischium only. It divides into two portions: the anterior portion ends on the tendon of the pectineus, on the femur above the internal condyle, and on the inner (Vesalian) sesamoid bone; the posterior portion ends on the internal condyle of the tibia, the tendon passing under the internal lateral ligament of the stifle joint.

The rectus femoris has only one tendon of origin. The single patellar ligament acts as the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps.

The capsularis is usually present, but is small and pale.

The sartorius consists of two portions. It arises from the external angle and border of the ilium. The anterior portion ends on the patella, the posterior on the internal surface of the tibia, its tendon blending with that of the gracilis.

The graciles are not so much fused at their origin as in the other animals.

The pectineus is long and slender. It arises from the ilio-pectineal eminence and ends on the internal branch of the linea aspera above the distal end of the femur.

There are two distinct adductors. The small anterior one ends on the proximal third of the femur, the posterior one on the distal part of the femur and on the inner face of the stifle joint.

The quadratus femoris is short and strong. The other external rotators of the thigh present no special features.

The peroneus tertius is represented by a tendinous band which arises on the internal surface of the tibia below the crest. It passes downward on the inner surface of the tibialis anterior, blends with the annular ligament above the tarsus, and is attached to the joint capsule and the proximal end of the third metatarsal bone.

Arloing and Lesbre say: “The third peroneus is a proper extensor of the fifth digit; it is a very feeble, fleshy band, situated behind the peroneus brevis, which it partially covers. It is attached to the upper part of the fibula, and is continued by a long, delicate tendon which passes in the same malleolar groove with the muscle mentioned; it then crosses behind the tendon of the peroneus longus and extends to the phalanges of the outer digit, where it joins one of the branches of the common extensor.”

The tibialis anterior is large and superficial. It arises on the external condyle and crest of the tibia, and is inserted into the first metatarsal bone, or into the first tarsal and second metatarsal.

There are four extensors of the digits.

1. The anterior or long digital extensor (M. extensor digitalis longus) is fusiform, and lies largely under the preceding muscle. It arises from the extensor fossa of the femur. The tendon is bound down by two annular ligaments, and divides below the tarsus into four branches, which end on the distal phalanges of the digits (second to fifth).

2. The lateral digital extensor (M. extensor digitalis lateralis) is feeble and semipennate. It arises on the fibula below the head. The tendon passes under the lateral ligament of the tarsus and joins the branch of the tendon of the long extensor for the fifth digit.

3. The extensor hallucis longus is a very thin muscle which arises from the fibula under the long extensor. Its delicate tendon accompanies that of the tibialis anterior to the first metatarsal bone, or becomes lost in the fascia.

4. The extensor digitalis brevis has three divisions. It arises on the fibular tarsal bone and the adjacent ligaments. The three tendons are inserted into the second, third, and fourth digits, blending with the interossei. (Sometimes there is found a tendon to the rudimentary first digit, which may represent the extensor hallucis brevis. There may be a fourth belly for the tendon to the second digit.)

The peroneus longus arises on the external condyle of the tibia, the head of the fibula, and the lateral ligament. The long tendon passes down the leg parallel to the fibula, crosses the plantar (posterior) surface of the tarsus transversely, and ends on the first metatarsal bone. A short branch is detached to the external metatarsal bone.

The peroneus brevis is semipennate and arises from the distal half or more of the outer face of the tibia and the fibula. Its tendon accompanies that of the lateral extensor over the external malleolus of the tibia, and ends on the proximal end of the fifth metatarsal bone.

The soleus is absent. (It is present and large in the cat.)

The gastrocnemius arises on the rough lines above the condyles of the femur. The heads of origin each contain a bone about the size of a pea—the sesamoid of Vesal—which articulates with the corresponding condyle of the femur. The tendon comports itself as in the horse.

The superficial digital flexor has a large round belly. It arises in common with the outer head of the gastrocnemius from the external rough line and Vesalian sesamoid bone, and from the aponeurosis of the vastus externus. The tendon winds around that of the gastrocnemius, passes over the tuber calcis (where it is arranged as in the horse), and divides below the tarsus into two branches. Each of these divides into two branches which end as in the fore limb. The outer and inner branches detach slips to the suspensory ligaments of the large digital pad. Muscle-fibers often occur in the tendon in the metatarsal region.

The deep digital flexor has two heads. The large outer head, the flexor hallucis longus, arises from the tibia and fibula, filling the interosseous space. The small inner head, flexor digitalis pedis longus, also arises from the tibia and fibula, its tendon joining that of the large head below the tarsus. The common tendon detaches a branch to the large digital pad and terminates as in the fore limb.

The tibialis posterior is a small but distinct muscle, which arises on the proximal part of the fibula. The thin tendon accompanies that of the flexor longus and ends on the internal lateral ligament of the tarsus.

The tendon of the popliteus contains a small sesamoid bone.

The adductors of the second and fifth digits, the lumbricales, and the interossei are arranged as in the thoracic limb.

The quadratus plantæ arises on the outer surface of the distal end of the fibular tarsal bone and on the lateral tarsal ligament, passes downward and inward, and terminates on a thin tendon which fuses with that of the deep flexor.

The abductor digiti quinti is a very small muscle which consists of two parts. One of these is a tendinous slip which extends from the posterior surface of the proximal part of the fibular tarsal bone to the head of the fifth metatarsal bone; the other part arises from the inner surface of the fibular tarsal bone (or from the tendinous part) and ends on the first phalanx of the fifth digit.

In case the skeleton of the first digit is well developed, there are found three muscles homologous with those of the same digit in the fore limb. These are the abductor hallucis, adductor hallucis, and flexor hallucis brevis.