270 PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE GENUS DINORNIS. 



Bay,— the evidence of the chemical condition of the bones themselvesi, and their allu- 

 vial bed, favour the hypothesis of their comparatively recent date. It is not altogether 

 improbable that the species of Dinornis were in existence when the Polynesian colony 

 first set foot on the island ; and, if so, such bulky and probably stupid birds, at first 

 without the instinct and always without adequate means of escape and defence, would 

 soon fall a prey to the progenitors of the present Maoris. 



In the absence of any other large wild animals, the whole art and practice of the chase 

 must have been concentrated on these unhappy cursorial birds ^ The gigantic Dinornis, 

 we may readily suppose, would be the first to be exterminated : the strength of its kick 

 would less avail, than its great bulk would prejudice its safety by making its con- 

 cealment difiicult ; at all events, the most recent-looking bones are those of the smaller 

 species. The closely allied, but comparatively diminutive Apteryx still survives by vir- 

 tue of its nocturnal habits and subterraneous hiding-place, but in fearfully diminished 

 and rapidly diminishing numbers. When the source of animal food from terrestrial 

 species was reduced by the total extirpation of the genus Dinornis to this low point, 

 then may have arisen those cannibal practices which, until lately, formed the oppro- 

 brium of a race of men in all other respects much superior to the Papuan Aborigines of 

 the neighbouring continent of Australia, and very httle inferior to the Polynesian natives 

 of the most favoured islands of the Pacific. 



' I have been favoured with the following analyses by my friend Thomas Taylor, Esq., author of the Cata- 

 logue of the Calculi and other Animal Concretions in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons : — 



" Recent Tibia of Ostrich. 



Animal matter 26'51 



Phosphate of lime 65-69 



Phosphate of magnesia 0'95 



Carbonate of lime 622 



Sulphate and carbonate of soda, with trace "1 



of muriate J 



Sulphate of lime^ a trace. 

 Fluorine, a trace. 



99-49 



Fossil Femur of Dinornis didiformis. 



Animal matter 25-99 



Phosphate of lime with phosphate of magnesia 66' 19 



Carbonate of lime 4-51 



Peroxide of iron 2-81 



Alumina 0-22 



Sulphate, carbonate, and muriate of soda .... 0-32 

 Sulphate of lime, a trace. 

 Fluorine, a very distinct trace. 



100-04" 



The subjoined comparative analysis, kindly undertaken by Dr. G. Day, also shows the large proportion of 

 animal matter in the bones of the Dinornis : — 



■' Recent femvr of Ostrich. Femur of Dinornis struthoides. 



Animal matter 34-86 3786 



Inorganic matter 65-65 62-94 



10000 100-00" 



The superabundance of animal matter in the bone of the extinct bird depends upon its being a marrow-bone, 

 whilst that of the Ostrich contains air. 



= As the Maoris prize the skin and feathers of the Apteryx for the manufacture of ornamental robes, it might 

 be worth inquiry whether any of the natives preserve remains of their ancestors' dresses composed of feathers 

 of unknown and larger species of birds. Such relics of a Dinornis might in this way be recovered. 



