130 Scientific Intelligence. 
portion to their length, and must have been the strongest and most robust 
bird in proportion to its size that everexisted. Of the gigantic species, 
vertebrae, ribs, and an almost entire sternum, most resembling that of 
the Apteryx, have been obtained. The Rev. Mr. Witi1ams has also 
transmitted the cranial portion of a skull related insize to the Dinornis 
struthoides, manifesting many peculiarities and a striking resemblance 
to the same part in the Dodo and Apteryx. 
57. On the Boring Apparatus of the Carnivorous Gasteropods, and 
of the Stone and Wood-burrowing Bivalves; by Aupany Hancock, 
Esq., (Mag. Nat. Hist., xv, 1845, p. 113.)—During the investigation of 
the anatomy of the Eolide by Dr. Empieton and myself, we ascer- 
tained, as appears in the last Number of the ‘ Annals,’ that the teeth of 
these animals are composed of silex. Directed by this interesting fact, 
I was induced to examine the nature of the instrument by which the 
carnivorous Gasteropods pierce the testaceous covering of bivalve and 
other shells. 1 found this apparatus in Buccinum undatum to be com- 
posed of rows of stout, much-curved spines or teeth, of great brilliancy, 
and as glossy and transparent as glass, and certainly to have no appear- 
ance whatever of horny tissue. They are so similar to those of Eolis, 
that there could be little doubt that they are formed of the same mate- 
rial; and accordingly, after subjecting them to the action of acid, such 
was found to be the case. Their capacity to drill holes in calcareous 
matter is therefore easily understood, without the necessity of suppos- 
ing the aid of a solvent requisite, as surmised by Cuvier. 
This result was to be expected after the discovery of the siliceous 
nature of the teeth of Eolis; but that the wood and stone-burrowing 
bivalves should work out their excavations by an instrument provided 
with the same material, may, perhaps appear somewhat startling. Such 
however I believe is the fact; a fact which if established will at once 
explain all the phenomena attending this much-controverted problem. 
It is not my intention at present to enter into details; all that I now wish 
to communicate is the result at which I have arrived; and in a short 
time I hope to have the pleasure of publishing, at length, my observa- 
tions in connexion with this interesting subject. 
The excavating instrument of Pisa and Teredo is formed of the 
anterior portion of the animal, in the surface of which are imbedded 
siliceous particles. The particles penetrating the skin give to it much 
the character of rasping-paper. The whole forms a rubbing surface, 
whic being applied closely to the bottom of the cavity by the adhesion 
of the foot, enables the animal to rub down, and so penetrate shale, 
wood, or even the hardest limestones and marble. 
