212 E.VTTTffi. 



pi. XV. figs. 2, 2 a, where it is incorrectly referred to the 

 right side, Cautley Colleclion. Presented, 1842. 



A. 116. Cast of the greater portion of the shaft of the right tihia 

 and fibula. The original, which is one of the types of 

 Mer/aJosccloniis, is preserved in the Indian Museum, 

 Calcutta, and is figured by the writer, o/>. cit. pi. xv. figs. 

 1, 2. Prohahly presented hi/ 0. Falconer, Esq., 1869. 



Struthio chersonensis (Brandt '). 



Syn. Struthiolifhiis chersonensis, Brandt \ 



Founded upon a fossil egg fi-ora the Government of Cherson, Kussia, which 

 indicates a much larger species than S. camelus. The species is referred pro- 

 visionally to Struthio by Nathusius ■''. 



Family ^PYORNITHIDtE. 



The hallux and second digit of the pes are present, and the 

 tihio-tarsus has no extensor bridge or distinct groove. The skull 

 and wings are apparently unknown. 



The tarso-metatarsus, which was probably of moderate length, is 

 of extreme width, and much flattened from back to front, with no 

 foramen in the groove between the third and fourth trochlefe ; the 

 middle of the upper part of the anterior surface is much depressed ; 

 the third trochlea is much the largest, and has its groove very ob- 

 lique ; the second is narrower and longer than the fourth. The tihio- 

 tarsus is long, massive, and flattened from front to back, with only 

 a very slight extensor groove ; its proximal extremity is much 

 expanded, with the cnemial crest twisted towards the outer side, and 

 prolonged inferiorly into a ridge traversing nearly the whole length 

 of the anterior surface ; the condyles are very similar to those of 

 the Casuariidce. The femur is extremely short and stout, with 

 numerous pneumatic foramina opening into the large popliteal 

 depression. The pelvis and coracoid are unknown. 



The tarso-metatarsus was fully as wide as that of Pacliiiornis 

 elepliantopus, but was still more flattened from back to front, and 

 was probably considerably longer. 



1 Bull. Ac. Imp. St. Petersbourg, vol. iviii. p. 161 (187S).—S(ruthiolithus. 



'' Loo. cit. 



= Zool. Am. vol. ii. pp. 47-50 (1S86). 



