278 Zoological Society. 



manifested by the proportions of the proximal phalanx of the second 

 toe (innermost of the three anterior ones) j this is very short, and 

 is often anchylosed to the second phalanx in the Eagles : it is almost 

 as long in the Vultures as in the Dodo. 



Upon the whole, then, the Raptorial character prevails most in 

 the structure of the foot, as in the general form of the beak, of the 

 Dodo, compared with Birds generally ; and the present limited amount 

 of our anatomical knowledge of the extinct terrestrial Bird of the 

 Mauritius would lead to support the conclusion that it is an extremely 

 modified form of the Raptorial Order. 



Devoid of the power of flight, it could have had small chance of 

 obtaining food by preying upon the members of its own class ; and if 

 it did not exclusively subsist on dead and decaying organized matter, 

 it most probably restricted its attacks to the class of Reptiles, and to 

 the littoral fishes, Crustacea, &c. 



The author concluded by recommending search to be made for 

 bones of the Dodo in the superficial deposits, the alluvium of rivers, 

 and the caves in the islands of Mauritius and Rodriguez ; little 

 doubting that an active exploration would be as richly rewarded as 

 similar investigations have been in the islands of New Zealand, by 

 the recovery of the remains of the great extinct species of terrestrial 

 birds which formerly inhabited them. 



August 25,— R. C. Griffith, Esq., in the Chair. 



The following communication was read : — " On the Relation of 

 the Edentata to the Reptiles, especially of the Armadillos to the 

 Tortoises." By Edward Fry. 



The dissections of two specimens of Tortoise, of which I have been 

 unable to recognise the species with certainty, induced me to believe 

 that those animals are allied to the Armadillos. Continuing this in- 

 vestigation, and extending it to the Edentata in general, I arrived at 

 the conclusion that they are allied to the Reptiles. As some points 

 of affinity have occurred to me which I have not seen noticed as such, 

 I believe that a short sketch of the subject may not be devoid of 

 interest ; and as Professor Owen has intimated his belief that the 

 Edentata are allied to Birds rather than to any other class, I shall 

 conclude my paper with a consideration of the arguments adduced 

 by him hereon. 



Such subjects as the one I shall attempt to investigate are of so 

 high an interest to the zoologist, that any one contributing in the 

 least degree to elucidate them may hope for indulgence. 



I regret not being able to ascertain the names of the species of 

 Tortoise which came under my notice, but trust that this omission 

 will not materially deduct from the interest of the subject. 



Sect. I. Of the Relation of the Genera Dasypus and Testudo. 

 1. In the Tortoise the oesophagus is large and muscular, admitting 

 bodies of great size in proportion to the mouth. From the structure 

 of the mouth it is incapable of masticating the food, whence arises 

 the necessity of a large and muscular oesophagus. Professor Owen 

 has remarked a similar structure, and adduced the same final cause 



