320 NATURAL SCIENCE. April. 1894. 



metatarsus. Now it is stated that the femur is different from that of ^. titan 

 described by Andrews. On referring to the paper quoted, we find that the femur 

 of JE. titan is not described, though a femur is provisionally referred to that 

 species. On the other hand, the femur referred to M. ingens by Milne-Edwards 

 may well have belonged to yE. titan; and, indeed, if the bones referred to ingens 

 were associated, then, as far as one can judge from measurements, ingens is a 

 synonym of titan ; for the measurements of the tibia of ingens given by Milne- 

 Edwards agree almost exactly with those of the type tibia of titan : — 



ingens. titan. 



Length 81 cm. 80 cm. 



Circumference at narrowest 20-5 ,, 207 ,, 



It is true that the authors state that jE. titan, though as tall as ^. ingens, was 

 less massive and its leg articulations were smaller. If this opinion is founded on 

 the femur, we have shown that it rests on an insecure foundation. If it rests on 

 the tibia, why are no measurements given of the ai^cular ends in which the main 

 difference seems to lie ? Slight variations of measurement are of small value and 

 insufficient for the establishment of specific distinctions, for among individuals in 

 the Ratite birds size varies very greatly. 



Of the new genus proposed, " Mullerornis," no diagnosis is published, the only 

 detail furnished being "that they are of medium size, not having the massive and 

 heavy appearance of ^pyornis, approaching rather the Cassowaries. We only 

 know the bones of the foot." — Ed.] 



Liverpool Marine Biological Station. 

 In reply to an enquiry of ours about the Port Erin Biological Station, which we 

 notice on p. 316, Professor Herdman writes to us : — " We are organising a Liverpool 

 Marine Biology Committee dredging expedition for Easter week-end, like those we 

 have had at the same time in recent years. Besides that party, several zoologists and 

 botanists will be at work at the station during the last week of this month and 

 during April, including Professor Weiss, Dr. Hurst, and Mr. Gamble of Owens 

 College, Mr. Beaumont of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Mr. Thompson of Liver- 

 pool, and myself." 



A CORRESPONDENT calls our attention to the fact that Professor Lapworth is 

 also "new blood" on the council of the Geological Society. We regret that in 

 our note last month his name was omitted ; apparently we could not realise the fact 

 that so distinguished a geologist had not been on the council before. 



Strange are the ways of the American place-hunter and strange, as we have 

 noted before now, is the system under which scientific appointments are made in the 

 United States. One of our Transatlantic correspondents complains that he has no 

 time for scientific work. " At present," he writes, " I am very busy, being engaged 

 in politics, as I am a candidate before the Republican Convention for the nomination 

 of State Geologist and have the most flattering prospects ; my only opponent is a 

 local collector." As our friend might possibly obtain the appointment, we have 

 sufficient regard for his reputation to suppress his name. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



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