102 OSTEOLOGY [Parr II. 
muscles which move the toes to and from the axis of the foot; while the projection of the 
calcaneal process, which is supported by a highly developed buttress, gives much force to the 
action of the fezor muscles; hence the firmness of the grasp, so necessary in large-bodied 
birds with relatively small tarsi, is attamed. 
The posterior metatarsus in the Dodo (Plate XI, Fig. 7-10,) is nearly one-third of the 
length of the metatarsus, and measures one inch six lines ; but the relative size of this bone 
is not greater than in any other known bird, for in Lopholemus (ib. Fig. 43,) it is propor- 
tionally larger than in the Dodo. 
The correspondence in the form and relative length of the anterior toes, and of their con- 
stituent phalanges in the Dodo, with those in the foot of Geophaps, one of the most terrestrial 
Pigeons, is well seen in Plate XII. The ungual phalanx (ib. Fig. 5, 5a,) forms a remarkable 
contrast in its shortness and blunted apex, and in the small size of the tubercle for the 
attachment of the flexor tendon, to the corresponding joint in the typical Raptores. 
The supposed peculiarity in the Dodo, namely, “ the equality of length of the metatarsus 
and proximal phalanx of the hind toe,” is perhaps true as far as the Co/wmbide are concerned ; 
the difference however, if any, cannot be great in the Solitaire. The greater length of this 
phalanx in Geophaps and other terrestrial Pigeons, and the consequent elongation of the 
hind toe, is probably related to the persistent habit of rismg occasionally from the ground and 
perching ; while in the Dodo, which ‘is not able to flie bemg so big,’ the hind toe is. much 
abbreviated and subservient only for support. The bluntness of the claws, and the shortness 
of the digits (Plates VI and XII), render it, at least, highly improbable that the Dodo could 
seize and hold reptiles, were such existing in its native isle; and the slowness of its pace 
would scarcely enable it to catch /ittoral fishes or crustacea, and im many parts of the 
coast these would be inaccessible to such heavy flightless birds, from the great and sudden 
rise of the shore above the water-edge. 
Dimensions of the Metatarsi of the Dodo. 
MeraTarsvs. inches. lines. 
Length from the groove, on the middle trochlea, to the apex of the 
intercondyloid tubercle — - : ‘ ; : ; : ; 5 12 
Least transverse diameter of the shaft : . , 7 
Antero-posterior diameter of the shaft opposite the aetilar Fao for 
the posterior metatarsus . : ; : : ‘ : 4 
Greatest transverse diameter of the upper seen : iat 
Ditto antero-posterior of ditto, mcluding ento-caleaneal process : il 4 
Projection of ento-calcaneal process ; : : ; < 7 
Width of the inferior extremity . 5 f : 5 ° : 1 54 
PosTERIOR Mrratarsvs. 
Length . 5 ; F , : : : ; ; : ; 1 52 
Breadth of the trochlea . : : : : 6 
Width of the lower extremity, inalailitig the stylaid process : ; 92 
