294 PAJLEONTOLOGY 



ander different specific forms ranging in height from 3 feet 

 to 10 feet. They have been referred by the writer to the 

 genera Dinomis and Palapteryx. The gigantic species are 

 interesting, as exhibiting birds equal to the formation of tridac- 

 tyle impressions as large as those of the Connecticut sandstones, 

 called Ornithichnites (Brontozoum) gigas (fig. 8-t, r, b). In this 

 cut is given a figure of the leg-bones of Dinomis giganhus (J5), in 

 which the tibia (f) measures upwards of a yard in length. In 

 the entire skeleton (A) of another species, the metatarsus is as 

 thick, but only half as long, as in the D. gigantcus ; the frame- 

 work of the leg is the most massive of any in the class of birds ; 

 the toe-bones almost rival those of the elephant ; whence the 

 name Dinomis elejjhantojms, given to this species. Several other 

 species of these extinct tridactyle wingless birds have been de- 

 termined — e.g., Dinomis ingens, D. stmthio'ides, D. rhc'idcs, D. 

 dromtoides, D. casuarinus, D. robustus, D. crassns, D. geranoides, 

 D. curtus. With these remains have been found bones of a bird 

 the size of a swan, but of an extinct genus (Aptomis) ; also 

 those of a large coot (Notomis Mantclli) which, founded origi- 

 nally on fossil remains, was afterwards discovered living in the 

 Middle Island of New Zealand. Two species of Apterytc, nut 

 distinguishable from the existing kinds, were contemporaries 

 with the gigantic Dinomis, and the writer has received evi- 

 dence that the D. chpliantopus afforded food to the natives at 

 probably no very remote period. Some of the smaller kinds 

 of Dinomis may yet be found living on the Middle Island, 



In Madagascar portions of metatarsal bones, indicating a 

 three-toed bird (Epiomis) as large as, but generically distinct 

 from, the Dinomis gigantcus, have been discovered in alluvial 

 banks of streams ; and with them entire eggs, measuring from 

 13 to 14 inches in Long diameter. The contents of one of these 

 eggs is computed to equal those of six ostrich eggs, or of one 

 hundred and forty-eight hen's eggs. 



In the neighbouring island of Mauritius the dodo (Didus 



