Cu. I.] OF THE DODO. 111 
second phalanx is twisted inwards, as also that of the third, which is much arched longitudinally. These 
phalanges decrease distad, progressively, by one third. 
The proximal phalanx of the outer toe is shorter than that of the other digits; its inner edge is more 
concave than the outer, the distal extremity being twisted inwards, while in the two inner it is bent out- 
wards. The second, third, and fourth joints are much abbreviated, the two latter are nearly equal, and 
are only shghtly shorter than the second, which is half the length of the first. 
The ungual phalanx is a little longer than the second joint ; itis short, curved, bluntly acuminate, and 
only slightly compressed laterally ; the lateral surface presents a deep groove, the edges of which almost 
unite to form a canal towards the apex; the tubercle for the insertion of the flexor tendon is feebly deve- 
loped; and the articular facet is equi-triangular, and slightly concave vertically. 
In the arboreal Pigeons, as Zreron (Plate XII. Fig. 6,6 a), the inner toe is much shorter than the outer, 
and is nearly equalled in length by the hallux. The second and third joints of the outer toe are elongated ; 
while m Columba (ib. Fig. 7, 7 a), they are shortened, and hence the lateral toes are nearly equal. In Geophaps 
(w. Fig. 8, 8 a), these phalanges are more abbreviated, and the outer toe is shorter than the inner, as in 
the Dodo. All the ground Pigeons have this character more or less marked. The peripheral joints in these 
Pigeons, are relatively less abbreviated than in the Dodo; in it, the ambulatory modification of a strictly 
insessorial foot is carried to its maximum, but the persistence of typical characters is highly suggestive. 
The arrangement of the tendons in the foot of the Dodo, is precisely the same as in that of Pigeons 
&e.; but throws no special ight on its affinities. The sesamoid or glenoid fibro-cartilages on the plantar 
aspect of the metatarso-phalangeal articulations of the three anterior toes are represented as seen from 
above, in Plate XII. Fig. 2, a, 4, ¢. They are firmly attached by ligament to the first phalanx, and 
but loosely to the peduncle of the trochlea by the reflected synovial membrane; anteriorly they are 
moulded to the trochlear surface, and posteriorly grooved for the fleror tendons; the theca converting 
the groove into a canal. The internal fibro-cartilage is acted on directly by the attachment of the perforated 
flewor tendon of the inner toe to the theea, just as the corresponding sesamoid fibro-cartilage at the tibio- 
metatarsal articulation is moved by the Plantaris: in the hind toe, the corresponding glenoid ligament 
was probably without a definite figure. The grooved posterior surface of the external glenoid ligament with 
the portion of the theca attached to it slit open, is seen at the top of fig. 8, Plate XII. 
Tn addition to the strong lateral hgaments at the phalangeal articulations, there occurs a glenoid fibro- 
cartilage on the plantar aspect, which blends at the sides with the lateral ligaments. Like those above 
mentioned, each is firmly united to the distal phalanx, and moulded to the trochlear head of the proximal 
joint ; and to it is attached directly the tendinous ship, which acts on the distal phalanx. At the last joint, they 
are feebly developed, and almost membranous; the deep flexor tendon being inserted into the tubercle 
beneath the articular facet of the ungual phalanx. In the Dodo, these fibro-cartilages remain, but are 
shrunk and indurated, and when covered by varnish, as in the Oxford foot, they very much resemble irre- 
gularly-shaped sesamoid bones. Those of the outer toe are shewn in fig. 3,@ being the upper; the last is 
absent. 
The celebrated physician and anatomist, Carus, when at Oxford, pointed out to Dr. Kidd a peculiar 
structure in the ossified tendons of the //evor muscles, and in his Travels! since published, he states “that 
the ossified tendons are divided ito several pieces, connected by joints (internodia?), an arrangement 
' «Teh machte Kidd auf eine besondre Bildung der verknécherten Sehnen der Beugemuskeln aufmerksam,”*— 
England u. Schottland im Jahre, 1844, yol.i. p. 375. 
* «Die knéchernen Sehnen zerfallen in mehrere Stiicken, welche durch Gelenke verbunden sind. Eine Einrichtung, die sonst an 
dergleichen Sehnenknochen mir nicht bekannt ist.” 
2G 
