562 



Transactions. — Geology. 



the pre-sphenoid fossa resembling much Pachyornis elephan- 

 tovus. The inter-orbital septum is better developed than m 

 any other species of moa yet described. The basi-pterygoid 

 processes are slender. 



Length of basis cranii, 28mm. ; length to olfactory cham- 

 bers, 4:7mm. ; width at temporal fossae, 38mm. ; height of 

 cranium, 33mm. ; distance between optic foramina, 9mm. ; 

 height of occipital foramen, 11mm.; width of occipital fora- 

 men, 10mm. 



The leg-bones— a tibia and a metatarsus— which 1 believe 

 belong to this skull have the following dimensions : — 



Anomalornis fortis. 



The second of these skulls is a cranium and mandible 

 found in a small swamp at Cheviot, together with leg-bones of 

 Dinornis torosus, Megalapteryx tcnidpes, Anomalornis fortis, 

 and Anomalornis parvus, those of A. fortis being the most 

 numerous. If I am right in ascribing the skull from the cave 

 on the Buller Eiver to Megalapteryx, it follows that the present 

 skull belongs to Anomalornis fortis, and this opinion is con- 

 siderably strengthened by the' fact that the mandible bears a 

 considerable resemblance to that of A. parvus. 



The cranium is considerably damaged, but the following 

 description will show that it differs from any hitherto de- 

 scribed skull : — 



Cranium.— Tlhe, occipital plane is at right angles to the 

 basi-temporal platform, and the occipital crest is low and 

 broad, as in Pachyornis. The condyle projects beyond the 

 crest, and beyond the par-occipital processes. These latter are 

 damaged, but they appear to be much the same as in Mcio- 

 nornis, except that they are smaller and do not project down- 

 wards to the level of the mammillar tuberosities. The supra- 

 foraminal ridge is well marked, and can be traced on each 

 side all down the par-occipital process. The lambdoidal ridge 

 is simple. The cranial roof is much arched in both directions, 

 but without any swellings. The post-orbital processes are 

 broken off, as are also the margins of the orbits. The base of 

 the skull also is much damaged, but the mammillar tuberosities 

 are seen to be feeble and ridge-like, as in Meionornis. The 

 tympanic cavity (much damaged) has its dorsal margin curved. 

 The zygomatic'process is very slender. The inferior temporal 

 ridge is well marked, and the post-temporal fossa is very 



