( 392 ) 



species. Professor Parker found two deeply notched coracoids of A. mantelli as 

 against one unnotcbed. Three A. australis are figured as notched, but neither of 

 two A. oireni. Fiirbringer depicts one notched and one uunotched ^4. australis, the 

 latter copied from Owen. Parker (W. K.) figures A. australix as unnotcbed. My 

 specimen is notched. 



I have found no notch in any of six specimens of A. haaxti ; neither of two 

 Oiceni had a notch : but of four A. manteUi two were notched and two had com- 

 pletely bony procoracoid.s. It looks, therefore, as if it was at least rarer for A. oweni 

 and A. haasti* to have largely membranous procoracoids than for the other species. 



The Sternum. 



The general form of the sternum oi Apteryx is well known. It is, however, 

 very variable in details, most of the details, if not all, lieing totally nuconnected 

 with specific distinctions. The principal variations shown by the sternum are as 

 follows : — 



1. Variations in the proportions of the median and posterior lateral processes. 

 In the majority of cases the posterior lateral processes are tlie longer ; this was so 

 in six .4. manteUi examined by myself, in one figured by T. J. Parker, and in one 

 figured by Miss Lindsay; in four A. kaasti examined by myself, and a queried liaasti 

 figured by Parker; in two A. oweni examined by myself, in two figured by Parker, 

 in one figured by Miss Lindsay ; in one A. australis examined by myself; in one 

 A. australis figured by Owen, in one figured by Parker. 



Total 21. 



In many specimens the two processes are equal ; this was so in two A. mantelli 

 examined by myself, in two figured by T. J. Parker ; in two A. kaasti examined 

 by myself; in one A. attstralis figured by Fiirbringer, in one figured by Parker. 



Total 8. 



In fewer specimens still the median is longer than either of the two lateral 

 processes ; this characterised an A. australis figured by W. K. Parker, and an 

 embryo ^1. australis figured by T. J. Parker. 



Total 2. 



These variations are purely in the amount of ossification, some cartilage being 

 apparently invariably left tipping the processes. This fact still further diminishes 

 the importance of these variations ; but it is noteworthy that in the nnossified or 

 bnt slightly ossified sternum the lateral processes (according to T. J. Parker) always 

 exceed the median, save in the striking case of an A. australis last referred to, which 

 agrees with an adult fignred by W. K. Parker. 



2. Variations in the character of the median process. 



This is longer or shorter, broader or narrower ; it is sometimes but rarely bifid 

 at the extremity. This has been figured in two examples of .1. nurni (by Miss 

 Lindsay and T. J. Parker), and in a doubtful .4. kaasti (by Parker). 



3. The anterior emargination of the sternum varies in depth, but is usually a 

 symmetrical semicircular incision. Professor T. J. Parker distinguishes " .4. bulleri " 

 (=.4. manti'lli) from A. australis by the greater depth of the emargination in the 

 former species. This is certainly usually, bnt not universally, the case ; I have an 

 A. manteUi with quite a shallow anterior emargination. A. kaasti varies in precisely 

 the same way. On the other hand, the specimens at my disposal lead me to support 



' T. J. Parker's doubtful A^ haiuti had a notched coracoid. 



