occipital bones): becoming tendinous, it covers all the upper part
of the skull with a membrane or sheet of tendon, and terminates
in the anterior muscle, which is seen in this view.
b. b. The Corrugator Su p e r c il ii is the second muscle attached
to or inserted into the integument under the eyebrow. It
arises from the lower part of the frontal bone near the nose,
and is inserted as I have said. It lies nearly transverse, and
its office is to knit and draw the eyebrows together.
c. c. The Cir cular M uscle of t h e E y e lid s, (the Or bicularis
P alpebrarum). There is a little tendon in the inner angle of
the eye, which is a fixed point for this muscle, attaching it to
the maxillary bone, and being both origin and insertion.
The desc en d in g s l ip of th e Oc cipito F ro n ta lis. A s this
fasciculus of fibres descends from the frontal muscle to be attached
to the side of the nose, it has a distinct operation, and may be
considered as a distinct muscle. It draws the inner extremity of
the eyebrow downwards.
These four muscles move the eyebrow, and give it all its various
inflexions. If the Orbicularis Palpebrarum and the descending slip
of the Frontalis act, there is a heavy and lowering expression. If
they yield to the influence of the Frontal muscle, the eyebrow is
arched, and there is a cheerful or an alert and inquiring expression.
If the Corrugator Supercilii acts, there is more or less of mental
anguish, or of painful exercise of thought. If combining with the
Frontalis, the forehead is furrowed, and there is an upward inflection
of the inner extremity of the eyebrow, there is more of querulous
and weak anxiety indicated.
The arched and polished forehead, terminated by the distinct
line of the eyebrow, is a table on which we may see written, in
perishable characters, but distinct while they continue, the prevailing
cast of thought; and by the indications here, often the mere
animal activity displayed in the motions of the lower part of the
face, has a meaning and a force given to it.
Independent of the actions of the muscles, their mere fleshiness
gives character to this part of the face. The brow of Hercules wants
the elevation and form of intelligence; but there may be observed
a fleshy fulness on the forehead and around the eyes, which conveys
an idea of dull brutal strength, with a lowering and gloomy expression,
which accords with the description in the Iliad.
MUSCLES OF THE EYES.
The Orbicularis Palpebrarum I divide into two muscles: the
outer fleshy circular band, which runs around the margin of the
orbit; and the lesser band of pale fibres which lies upon the eyelids.
These last are employed in the act of closing the eyelids, but the