OSTEOLOGY OF THE DODO. 519 
the large size, and would be referred by Strickland to his Pezophaps solitaria. 1 have 
also had under observation three metatarsi (of the right side) of the small size, by 
which Strickland characterized his Pezophaps minor’. The following description is 
from the larger metatarsi (Pl. LXVI. figs. 1-4, fig. 13). The entocondylar cavity (a) is 
deeper and wider from before backward than the ectocondylar one (4); it has the same 
transverse diameter. ‘The intercondylar tuberosity (c) rises to the height of 44 lines 
from a base 7 lines in breadth, and terminates obtusely ; the fore-and-aft extent of the 
base occupies rather more than half that of the proximal articular surface, of which a 
flat triangular tract (fig. 13, d), 6 lines in breadth posteriorly, intervenes between the 
back parts of the ento- and ecto-condylar cavities; and from it is continued a tract, of 
a breadth of 1 or 2 lines, along the back part of the ectocondylar fossa. The obtuse 
low summit of the ectometatarsal ridge marks the outer termination of the rising 
* Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. iv. p.191. One of these specimens is alluded to by the Messrs. Newton as follows :— 
“Tn addition to these eighteen specimens, we are informed that in 1860 or 1861 a tibia, the shaft of a tarso- 
metatarsal, and some fragments of the shaft of a femur, all of which belonged to the Solitaire, were sent to 
Professor Owen by M. Bouton of the Museum at Mauritius; but the fate of these specimens is unknown to us.” 
They are referred to in the following letter :— 
“8 Great Ormond Street, Queen Square, W.C., 
“18th December, 1860. 
“Dear Sr,-—By the last ‘Overland’ from Mauritius I received from the Curator of the Museum of Port 
Louis the two fragments of bones, which he suspects to be those of the Dodo, and he is anxious to have your 
opinion in the matter. Under these circumstances I have taken the liberty of sending them to you just as they 
came to me on Saturday last. The Curator writes me: ‘Je les ai trouyés dans la Collection du Muséum déposés 
4 coté d’ossements fossiles de Tortues recueillies dans un dépét Calcaire aux Quatre Cocos, A Flacq, 4 une petite 
distance de la mer. No. 1 me parait se rapprocher a la figure 1, planche xv. de Strickland, et dans ce cas 
serait un fragment du tibia droit du Solitaire ; No. 2 se rapproche de la figure 2a de la planche xy. de 
Strickland. Ce serait dans ce cas le métatarse droit auquel il manquerait une portion de l’articulation 
inférieure et la totalité de V’articulation supérieure . . . . s‘ils sont ce que je les crois étre, je vous prie de me 
les renyoyer ensuite quand ils seront examinés.’ 
“‘ As my friend mentions the district of Flacq, I know that several fossil remains have been found there; and 
some years ago when I was in the island, I and other friends made an examination of the locality in order to 
find some remains of the Dodo, at the request of Mr. Strickland, who was them preparing his excellent work 
on the Dodo, &e. 
“Tf, therefore, you will do me the favour to give me your opinion on the fragments I now take the liberty 
of sending you, such an opinion from so high an authority will set the matter at rest. 
“T remain, dear Sir, 
“Very truly yours, 
(Signed) James Morris.” 
* Professor Owen, Sc. §c.” 
The fragment of the tibia marked No. 1, included the distal articular end and part of the shaft of that bone: 
No. 2 was rightly recognized by M. Bouton. Both portions belonged to the Pezophaps minor, Str. So named, 
they were returned to the Museum at Port Louis, Mauritius. The first and sole evidence of Messrs. Newton’s 
interest in these fragments reached me with their memoir. Any previous inquiry would have, at once and 
most readily, received the reply given in the present note. No portion of femur, and no entire tibia, were 
sent to me. 
