51 



insects and portions of the down of the Apteryx were the only re- 

 cognizable organized parts ; it also contained a few pebbles. 



In the small intestines a little pulpy material was present, simDar 

 to that in the gizzard, but of a darker colour. 



The caeca contained a larger quantity of similar, but more fluid 

 matter, in which the legs of insects were again discernible. 



The liver consisted of two large lobes, connected by a narrow 

 isthmus, the right being the larger and of a subtriangular figure ; 

 the left was more quadrangular in shape. 



The gall bladder, one inch and a half in length, was appended by 

 its cervix to the inner margin of the right lobe of the liver, the 

 medium of attachment being formed by the nutrient vessels of the 

 gall-bladder, and by two short cyst-hepatic ducts, with a reflection 

 of serous membrane upon them. A cystic duct was continued in 

 length rather more than two inches, to half way between the lower 

 bend of the termination of the duodenum. 



The hepatic duct terminated a few lines below the cystic ; both 

 ducts were larger than usual. 



The pancreas consisted as usual of two elongated subtriedral 

 lobes, lodged chiefly in the anterior part of the duodenal interspace ; 

 one of the lobes extended upwards to the nght as far as the spleen. 

 The secretion was carried by two short and thick ducts, which ter- 

 minated close to the hepatic and cystic upon a small longitudinal 

 ridge. 



The spleen presented no peculiarities ; its size was about that of 

 a hazel-nut. 



With respect to the physiological relations of the apparatus 

 just described, Mr. Owen remarks that the whole is harmoniously 

 co-adapted to the instruments of prehension which characterize the 

 Apteryx. 



A beak framed to seize and transmit to the gullet small objects, 

 is succeeded by a simple and narrow muscular canal. The food 

 being of an animal nature, and taken in small and successive quan- 

 tities, is digested as fast as it is obtained, and therefore the (esophagus 

 is not required to be modified to serve as a reservoir, either by its 

 extreme width, or a partial dilatation. The proventriculus, in the 

 comparative simplicity of its glands, and the gizzard, in its small size 

 and medium strength, more forcibly bespeak structures adapted for 

 the bruising and chymification of animal substances presenting, as 

 do worms and the softer orders of insects, a moderate resistance. 



The length of the intestines, which somewhat exceeds that of the 

 slender-billed insectivorous waders, and the size of the caca, are con- 

 sidered by Mr. Owen to indicate an intention, that this bird, which 

 is so remarkably restricted in its locomotive powers, should have 

 every needful or practicable advantage in extracting from its low- 

 organized animal diet, all the nutriment that it can yield. 



