122 1'ranaavtumn. — Zoology, 



is the 2nd cervical; 6 dorsal; aud 2 caudal, upper anterior. 

 These are all much smaller, etc., than those (few) shown by Dr. 

 Gunther, especially the 2nd cervical. 



VI. Of the Remaining Bones of the Body : — 



1. There are 8 of the smaller ribs and portions of ribs, none 

 being quite perfect. These are very much smaller than those 

 shown of Sphenodon punctatum. 



2. The pair complete of pelvis bones, which differ con- 

 siderably from those of Sphenodon punctatum (as represented in 

 the drawing), in wanting the " remarkably developed uncinate 

 process of os pubis, in the middle of their anterior margin, and 

 the still more prominent tuberositas ischii " of the posterior 

 angle. Those processes, however, exist in this pair of pelvis 

 bones, but they are smaller, and of a different shape ; while 

 those same bones in the Wellington specimen are very much 

 larger and stouter every way. 



I regret not having had more of the bones of this little 

 animal, especially those of the upper and fore parts of the head, 

 with the intermaxillary teeth; more of the fore-limb, also those 

 of the hind-limb, aud more joints of the vertebral column. Of 

 these latter alone — which joints in Sphenodon punctatum amount 

 to 63, all varying exceedingly with their position in the 

 skeleton— there are in this small lot only nine joints, or one- 

 seventh of the complete number ! 



The whole of the bones of this newly-found specimen are 

 remarkably thin, almost papery (except those three of the fore- 

 limb), and yet generally perfect, and not worn down by friction 

 or wasting. Their thinness, combined with the more sound 

 and larger teeth, serve to show that this animal must have been 

 young, or, at all events, not a very old one ; and yet the teeth 

 are very far from approaching to those of a young one, as shown 

 by Dr. Gunther. Again, there is no comparison as to general 

 appearance between these bones and those of the Wellington 

 specimen, which are both larger and stouter, and apparently of 

 a different substance. These bones must have belonged to a 

 much smaller animal than either Sphenodon punctatum of Dr. 

 Giinther, or that of the Wellington skeleton. At the same 

 time, it must not be overlooked that the dentary bone (or lower 

 jaw) of this specimen is quite as large as that of Sphenodon 

 punctatum of Dr. Guiither, and a little longer than that of the 

 Wellington one. 



These bones are not fossilized, neither are they rotten, although 

 so very thin. The old Maoris always said that the tuatara 

 {Sphenodon sps.) formerly inhabited the headlands of the New 

 Zealand coast (as well as the islets lying off it), which the find- 

 ing of this specimen proves. The place where it was found is 

 on the east side of the outer hill forming Scinde Island (Napier), 



