PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE GENUS DINORNIS. 147 
deposits. It would not be difficult to compute, with some shadow of approximation, 
the time required for the inroad of the ocean into strata of the nature of those described, 
supposing them to have extended from the summit of the cliffs to the ocean half a mile 
distant, along a line between the two heads or extremities of the bay: but that period 
would be conjectural only ; for there are rocks, islets, and islands succeeding each 
other—mile beyond mile,—extending into the surrounding ocean, all of which are, by 
marine inroad, vestiges only of former rock-formations. Man and the Moa, however, 
were coeval at man’s cooking fireplace upon this substratum. 
‘The mother ocean is altering, in some places very rapidly, the configuration of the 
coast of New Zealand. It is consuming some parts, and forming others by deposits ; 
and again removing former deposits. In a general view, many parts of the east coast 
of the North Island are being disintegrated, not to reappear above water for many ages ; 
while on the west coast, downs are not only being formed, stretching into the sea, but 
superimposing themselves—inland—in some places. 
“These shiftings of the outline of the earth’s crust are not limited to the sea-coast : 
for in the interior are many partial and violent settlings of the earth, evidently from 
earthquakes ; submerging, in some instances many feet under the surface of fresh- 
water lakes, land with the natives’ houses, fences, &c. upon it. This has happened in 
regard to the lake situated some miles from the east bank of the River Waipa, and 
south-eastwardly from the ruins of the famous sacked Pa (town) called ‘ Matakitaki.’ 
“W. E. Cormack, 
6, Perey Street, 22nd October, 1850.” 
“To Professor Owen, 
Royal College of Surgeons, London.”’ 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 
PLATE XLI. 
Fig. 1. Front view of the femur of the Dinornis gracilis. 
Fig. 2. Front view of the femur of the Dinornis struthioides. 
Fig. 3. Front view of the metatarsus of the Dinornis gracilis. 
Fig. 4. Front view of the metatarsus of the Dinornis struthioides. 
PLATE XLII. 
Fig. 1. Front view of the tibia of the Dinornis gracilis. 
Fig. 2. Front view of the tibia of the Dinornis struthioides. 
p. Procnemial ridge. e¢. Ectocnemial ridge. 
All the figures are of the natural size. 
