252 RATITJR. 



33145. A slightly smaller and relatively narrower left femur, not 

 improbably referable to the same form as the preceding 

 specimen; from Waingongoro, North Island. The relative 

 narrowness is most noticeable at the distal extremity. 



Walter Mantell Collection. Purchased, about 1855. 



Megalapteryx hectori, Haast'. 



The type species. Founded upon the evidence of the bones of 

 the limbs. Of smaller size than the preceding species, with a 

 relatively stouter tibio-tarsus, in which the distal width somewhat 

 exceeds one seventh of the total length. The tarso-metatarsua 

 is one half the length of the tibio-tarsus. The femur has a very 

 wide anterior trochlear gorge. 



The length of the type tibio-tarsus is 0,350 (12 inches), and 

 that of the tarso-metatarsus 0,144 (5-65 inches) ; the specimens 

 provisionally regarded as the corresponding bones of the female 

 being somewhat larger. 



Although, as already mentioned, there are some signs of approxi- 

 mation to the Apterygidce, yet the relative lengths of the three 

 distal trochlere of the tarso-metatarsus and the presence of an 

 extensor bridge to the tibio-tarsus are essential features of the 

 Dinornitliida;. The presence of a foramen in the groove between 

 the third and fourth trochleas of the tarso-metatarsus, on which 

 Haast lays stress as indicating marked affinity vt'iViiihQ Apterijgidce, 

 is of no importance, since it does not completely perforate the bone 

 (as it docs in Apterijx), but merely a thin flange of the same ; and a 

 precisely similar foramen is found in the tarso-metatarsus No. 21707 

 (p. 276) of Anomalopteryx. The separation of the two foramina 

 above the tubercle for the insertion of the tibialis anticus in the 

 tarso-metatarsus, although a feature found in the ApterygidcB, 

 is also of common occurrence in Dinornis, as is exemplified in the 

 type of D. gracilis (No. 32272), and in several specimens of the 

 tarso-metatarsus of D. ynaximus {c. g. No. 35832, p. 2-33). 

 Hah. South Island. 



The originals of the followim/ specimens, vfliicli are the types, were 

 obtained from superficial deposits in the South Island, and are 

 preserved in the Ahiseum at Nelson. They were presented hy 

 Sir J. von Haast, K.C.M.G. 



A. 93. Cast of the left femur. Original figured in the 'Trans. Zool. 

 Soc' vol. xii. pi. xxx. figs. 5, 6. Although compared by its 



' Trans. Zool. Soe. vol. xii. p. 161 (1886). 



