Astragalus

“ In proximal view the astragalus is sub-equal in cranio-caudal length to medio-lateral width, forming a rounded quadrangular shape. The proximal articular surface divided two regions; a lateral ascending process, which is developed into a broadly rectangular block shape with a flat dorsal surface; and a medial process, which is produced into a shallow fossa for the tibial articular surface. In medial view, the tibial articular surface is concave leading laterally to a deep and undivided posterior articular fossa. The medial margin of the astragalus is thick and heavily rugose. ”

“ In addition to the fused calcaneum and astragalus, the centrale and fifth tarsale have disappeared and the first three tarsalia are fused in the adult.
The tarsus of the Pterosauria (Fig. 155 d) , like the carpus, is highly specialized. In the early forms the astragalus is suturally united with the tibia, the calcaneum fused with the astragalus. In the later forms the astragalus is indistinguishably united with the end of the tibia, the calcaneum fused or lost as in birds, forming a large, pulley-like articulation. ”

“ The astragalus, which is elongated in the vertical direction, has three articular surfaces disposed in the form of trochleæ: a superior trochlea, which is in contact with the skeleton of the leg, and which is present in all animals; an inferior, which replaces the articular head found on the anterior aspect of the astragalus in man; this articulates with the portion of the scaphoido-cuboid that corresponds to the scaphoid; and, lastly, a posterior trochlea with which the calcaneum articulates. ”

“ This type of astragalus is altogether peculiar to the artiodactyls, all of which possess it; it is unlike that of any other mammal whatever and may be recognized [360] at a glance. The calcaneum, or heel-bone, has a large convex facet, by means of which it articulates with the fibula, or external leg-bone; there is no such articulation in the perissodactyls. The lower end of the calcaneum is narrow and fits into a step cut in the cuboid, which is thus every whit as peculiar and characteristic as the calcaneum and astragalus. ”

“ The articulation between the tibia and astragalus is more complex than in other mammals, the end of the malleolus entering into it. The hind-foot is very like that of a rhinoceros, having three well-developed toes. ”

“ Although the brain is relatively larger, the bones of the limbs, especially the short, five-toed feet, approximate to those of the Amblypoda and Proboscidea; but in the articulation of the astragalus with both the navicular and cuboid Arsinoitherium is nearer the former than the latter group. ”

“ Since Gegenbaur, it is generally believed that the intermedium is fused with the tibiale to form the astragalus. This is denied by Baur, who says there is no evidence of such union. Others have thought that the intermedium alone forms the astragalus, the tibiale represented by the tibial sesamoid, which occurs in certain mammals but is unknown as such in lower animals. In this uncertainty it is better to use the two mammalian names astragalus and calcaneum and abandon the names tibiale, fibulare, and intermedium for the reptilian tarsus. Of the
Fig. ”

“ Extinct, often plantigrade Ungulates, with five-toed limbs. Bones of carpus and tarsus not always interlocking, but sometimes lying above each other in corresponding positions. The humerus has an entepicondylar foramen. Dental formula quite complete; the molars brachyodont and bunodont. The premolars are simpler than the molars. The canines are small. As with other early types, the zygapophyses are flat and do not interlock. The astragalus is like that of the Creodonta. This group was American and European in range, the remains of its rather numerous genera being of Eocene time. ”

“ Ischia stronger than the pubic bones, which are distally much broadened. The femur is nearly three feet long, and possesses a fourth trochanter. The astragalus has an ascending process, and is fused with the tibia. The toes are short, strong, and clawed. The shoulder-girdle and fore-limb are strong, the latter well adapted to grasping. The teeth are much compressed laterally, with sharp, finely serrated edges. Several allied genera have been described from the Upper Trias of France and England: others from corresponding strata of India and South Africa. ”

“ In all the animals belonging to the group the number of dorso-lumbar vertebræ is not fewer than twenty-two; the third or middle digit of each foot is symmetrical; the femur or thigh-bone has a third trochanter, or knob of bone, on the outer side; and the two facets on the front of the astragalus or ankle-bone are very unequal. When the head is provided with horns they are skin deep only, without a core of bone, and they are always placed in the middle line of the skull, as in the rhinoceros. ”

“ The teeth are pointed, recurved, laterally compressed and serrated. The nasal openings are large, lateral, and nearly terminal. The vertebrae and the large bones of the limbs are hollow. The fore-limbs are considerably shorter than the hind-limbs, which are distinctly digitigrade, many of the species having a pronouncedly upright gait. The proximal tarsalia show a tendency to fuse with the tibia, and the astragalus has sometimes an ascending process, by which the fusion with the tibia is strengthened. ”

“ In this genus are included a group of Lemurs of very small dimensions, and of which the following are the more important characters: The rounded head has a short face covered with fur. The eyes are very large and set close together, agreeing well with their nocturnal life. The ears are conspicuous, projecting beyond the fur, thin, and membranaceous. The hind-limbs are larger than the fore-, the foot being remarkably elongated by the lengthening of the heel-bone (Astragalus) . The nail of the second finger is pointed, but all the rest are flat. The length of the tail exceeds that of the body. ”

“ Holotype
AODF 603: Right scapula, right and left humeri, right ulna, near complete right metacarpus including metacarpals II–V, phalanges and a manus ungual. Left metacarpal I. Dorsal ribs and fragmentary gastralia. Left sternal plate. Left ilium and isolated sacral processes. Right and left pubes and ischia. Right femur, tibia, fibula and astragalus (Figure 2A–B) .
Silhouettes of the three new dinosaurs showing the material currently known from their respective holotypes.A–B. Diamantinasaurus matildae gen. et sp. nov. (AODF 603) ; A. Right side, B. Left side. C. Wintonotitan wattsi gen. ”

“ On the nearly vertical outer face of the astragulus, there is a semicircular band-like facet for the fibula. The trochlea extends well around the top of the bone, allowing a wide movement of the foot. The neck of the astragulus is long and wide, carrying a broad flattened head, with its convex facet for the navicular, covering the entire end. On the plantar side are the most marked features. The ectal facet is in two planes, the anterior portion being bent down to nearly right angles with the posterior, which seems to be characteristic of this Diadiaphorus series. ”

“ I am astonished that the cunning Demon should have trusted you to the tender mercies of Astoragus so soon. Age is telling upon him, or he is going off his head; whether or not, he is sure to overreach himself in the long-run. There is not a more malicious toad or vampire in the whole city than that same Astoragus. The Demon knew very well what would be the upshot of that fine couch, and I have no doubt that he saw how quickly you shot up from the thing, and he had a roaring laugh at you. And Astoragus must be made a general forsooth—General of the Larrikin Guards! ”

“ But hark! the cry is Astur: And lo! the ranks divide; And the great Lord of Luna Comes with his stately stride. Upon his ample shoulders Clangs loud the fourfold shield, And in his hand he shakes the brand Which none but he can wield.
He smiled on those bold Romans A smile serene and high; He eyed the flinching Tuscans, And scorn was in his eye. Quoth he, ‘The she-wolf's litter Stands savagely at bay: But will ye dare to follow, If Astur clears the way?’
Then, whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height, He rushed against Horatius, And smote with all his might. ”

“ By Asterius is signified the same person as the Minotaur. This Taur-Aster is exactly analogous to [1005] Zor-Aster above. It was the same emblem as the Mneuis, or sacred bull of Egypt; which was described with a star between his horns. Upon some of the [1006] entablatures at Naki Rustan, supposed to have been the antient Persepolis, we find the Sun to be described under the appearance of a bright [1007] star: and nothing can better explain the history there represented, than the account given of Zoroaster. He was the reputed son of Oromazes, the chief Deity ”

“ The name still survives in the Shajarat al-Ashara, a clump of trees near the village Al-Ghajar (of the Gypsies?) at the foot of Hermon.
[FN#393] I am not quite sure that Astarte is not primarily the planet Venus; but I can hardly doubt that Prof. Max Mueller and Sir G. Cox are mistaken in bringing from India Aphrodite the Dawn and her attendants, the Charites identified with the Vedic Harits. Of Ishtar in Accadia, however, Roscher seems to have proved that she is distinctly the Moon sinking into Amenti (the west, the Underworld) in search of her lost spouse Izdubar, the Sun-god. ”

“ As the great nature-goddess, the attributes of fertility and reproduction are characteristically hers, as also the accompanying immorality which originally, perhaps, was often nothing more than primitive magic. As patroness of the hunt, later identification with Artemis was inevitable. Hence the consequent fusion with Aphrodite, Artemis, Diana, Juno and Venus, and the action and reaction of one upon the other in myth and legend. Her star was the planet Venus, and classical writers give her the epithet Caelestis and Urania. Whether Astarte was also a lunar goddess has been questioned. ”

“ She is generally described as the “fish-goddess.” The name is a compound of two divine names; the first part is a form of the Himyaritic ʽAthtar, the equivalent of the Old Testament Ashtoreth, the Phoenician Astarte (q.v.) , with the feminine ending omitted (Assyr. Ishtar) ; the second is a Palmyrene name ʽAthe (i.e. tempus opportunum) , which occurs as part of many compounds. As a consequence of the first half of the name, Atargatis has frequently, though wrongly, been identified with Astarte. The two deities were, no doubt, of common origin, but their cults are historically distinct. ”

“ The Romans had now no enemy to contend with but the nine hundred deserters, who, being reduced to despair, retired into the temple of Esculapius, which was a second citadel within the first: there the proconsul attacked them; and these unhappy wretches, finding there was no way to escape, set fire to the temple. As the flames spread, they retreated from one part to another, till they got to the roof of the building: there Asdrubal's wife appeared in her best apparel, as if the day of her death had been a day of triumph ”

“ He added that during the time of the first possession the demons had refused to give their names, but by the power of his exorcisms this reluctance had been overcome, the spirit which had resumed possession of the mother superior having at length revealed that its name was Ashtaroth, one of the greatest enemies of God, while the devil which had entered into the lay sister was of a lower order, and was called Sabulon. ”

“ I observed, looking at Astræa. But she was not disposed to give the vantage ground to Mephistophiles. "I hope next time you may have an audience more to your liking," she observed; "tastes differ, you know, in these matters."
"Yes, that's quite true," returned the dwarf, dryly; "but your tastes, it seems agree wonderfully."
Thus Astræa and I were coupled and cast together by the mime, who evidently took a vindictive delight in committing us to embarrassments of that kind. To have attempted to extricate ourselves would probably have only drawn fresh imputations upon us; so we let it pass. ”

“ Lucian (if he wrote De dea Syria) distinguishes the goddess of Ascalon from her of Hierapolis, who was worshipped in human not semi-human form, but there is little doubt of the connection between them. The Greeks identified both with Aphrodite. Other writers state that the Canaanite Ashtoreth, pre-eminently the goddess of reproduction and fecundity, became the goddess of fish (which, as sacred to her, were forbidden food) and of the pomegranate, both of which from their thousands of eggs or seeds are striking emblems of fertility. ”

“ It has poured into the fields, and groves, and river side. Lift up your eyes, man alive, open your ears, and let pleasure flow in. Be passive under the sweet breath of the goddess, and she will fill you with ecstasy.”
It was as Vitricus had said; the solemn feast-days of Astarte were in course of celebration; of Astarte, the well-known divinity of Carthage and its dependent cities, whom Heliogabalus had lately introduced to Rome, who in her different aspects was at once Urania, Juno, and Aphrodite, according as she embodied the idea of the philosopher, the statesman, or the vulgar ”

“ Robertson Smith, too, argues that Astarte was originally a sheep-goddess, and points to the interesting use of “Astartes of the flocks” (Deut. vii. 13, see the comm.) to denote the offspring. To nomads, Astarte may well have been a sheep-goddess, but this, if her earliest, was not her only type, as is clear from the sacred fish of Atargatis, the doves of Ascalon (and of the Phoenician sanctuary of Eryx) , and the gazelle or antelope of the goddess of love (associated also with the Arabian Athtar) .
The literature is vast; see G.A. Barton, Amer. Journ. of Sem. Lang. vols. ”