24 



geveral vėey small arteries were given ofFto the museles ; — it is to be 

 observed, that, divided as it is, this iemorai plezus bore agreat rela- 

 tive proportion to ihe bulk oflimb it wasdestined to serve. The sub- 

 clavian artery exhibited precisely the šame character as the femo- 

 ral. This plexus, as it passed over the first rib, sent ofFseverai minute 

 arteries to the adjacent museles, and entered the axilla, where it gavę 

 ofF similar radii, and continued its course, decreasing to the el- 

 bow ; but the injection not having well succeeded in this part, it was 

 impossible to trace the character of its subdivisions. As was the case 

 with the femoral ple.tus, the present bore a large relative volume to 

 that of the limb : indeed, it strongly impressed the observer with the 

 idea, that, however impeded by this arrangement of vessels, an un- 

 usual quantity of blood vvould be habitually conveyed to the ex- 

 tremities. This arterial structure may perhaps be more connected 

 with tenacity of grasp, and endurance of muscular contraction, than 

 with mere slo\vness of motion. The present animal, although on its 

 first arrival very torpid and inanimate, was, when warmed before 

 the fire and secluded from a direct light, very liveiy, and as active 

 as its cage permitted, becoming, however, dull and inanimate the 

 moment it was removed from the influence of the exciting and 

 geniai temperature. 



" The results of this dissection agree geuerally with those of 

 Daubenton and Sir A. Carlisle, as regards the several particulars 

 observed by them. 



" The disease of which the animal died was peritonitis ; the peri- 

 toneal membrane having a universal and deep blush of inflam. 

 mation." 

 • {'■' 



■ i[ The specimen of the Apteryx Australis, Shaw, wluch was figured 

 inthe 'Naturalist'sMiscellany,' platės 1057 and 1058,\vasexhibited. 

 This specimen, hitherto uniąue, forms part of the collection of the 

 President, Lord Stanley, by whom it was purchased at the sale of 

 Dr. Shaw's effects. Doubts having been expressed by some Conti- 

 nental wTdters as to the existence of such a bird, it was communicated 

 by His Lordship for exliibition ; the materials with vvhichit was stuffed 

 having been previously removed from it by his directions, so as to per- 

 mit of the skin being closely examined. 



Mr. Yarrell called the attention of the Meeting to its several parts 

 in detail, which he described fully, with reference to the illustration 

 of a paper " On tlie Apteryx Australis, Shaw." He dwelt particu- 

 larly on the singular combination of characters presented by this bird, 

 Avhich render it so remarkable and so highly interesting to the omi- 

 thologist. With the strong feet and cla\vs of a Rasorial bird, it has 

 tarsi so short as to incapacitate it from running with speed, a move- 

 ment apparently reąuired as a compensation for the absence of the 

 power of flight occasioned by its merely rudimentary wings. The ab- 

 sence of any tendency to palraation between the toes eąually unfits it 

 for progression in the ■vvater. Hence mušt result a peculiarity of habits, 

 respecting which it is much to be regretted that we are at present en- 

 tirely without information. Its long and slender bill, resembling in 



