124 



PETRIFACTIONS AND THEIR TEACHINGS. CHAP. II. 



the hind toe, (Lign. 30. 1,) are characters that remark- 

 ably distinguish it from the metatarsals of any other genus 

 that have been found in the bone-beds of New Zealand. 



i 



LIGN. 30. TARSO-METATAKSAL BONE OF APTORNIS OTIDIPORMIS; FROM THE 



BONE DEPOSIT OF WAINGONGORO, NEW ZEALAND. 



( nat. size.) 



1. Back view, showing the calcaneal process, and articulating depression for the 

 hind toe. 



2. Front view ; exhibiting the intercondyloid prominence, a. 



The length of the femur is 6^ inches ; of the tibia 8^ 

 inches. The size of the original bird equalled that of the 

 Great Bustard, (Otis tarda.)" 1 



There are in the collection a series of vertebrae, and por- 

 tions of the pelvis, as for example the coalesced pubis and 

 ischium, which are probably referable to this bird but 

 neither the sternum nor any portion of the cranium has 

 been recognised. 



FOSSIL BONES OF NoTORNis (N.Mantelli). Table-Case 16. 

 Lign. 31. In this case are the cranium and mandibles, the 

 sternum, kumerus, femur, tibia, and tar so-metatar sals of a bird 

 of the Kail family, collected by Mr. Walter Mantell in 1847, 



1 A fine pair of living Bustards (now very rare in England) may be 

 seen in the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park. 



