the Dodo ( Didus ineptus. ) j 491 
differs from the Order with which he connects it, does it agree 
with the Columbidz. We find in the Vinago Capellei ** the 
sudden sinking of the inter-orbital and nasal region of the 
forehead ; the rapid compression of the beak anterior to the 
orbits; the elongation of the compressed mandibles, the depth 
and direction of the sloping symphysis," and the position of 
the nostrils. All the pigeons have the high forehead, some 
more than others. Then Mr. Owen omits one point, in which 
the Dodo differs from all rapacious birds, and indeed from all 
other birds, I believe, except the pigeons, and some Waders, 
viz., the bulging out of the lower mandible on its sides beyond 
the upper; we see this most strongly marked with young 
pigeons in the nest, at which time their general shape has a 
striking resemblance to that of the Dodo. According to 
Mr. Agassiz’s theory, this is what we should expect.’ 
Then, in the form of the foot, the evidence that the Dodo 
belonged to the Rasorial and not to the Raptorial order, is to 
my mind quite as strong, if not stronger, than that afforded 
by the head. We cannot compare the actual bones, having 
only casts of the head and feet of the Dodo, taken with the 
integuments still upon them ;' let us therefore take them as 
We have them, and compare them with those of some species 
of Pigeons, with the same parts still adherent to them. 
But before doing this, let us look for a moment at the gen- 
eral question, how far mere comparative anatomy, the anatomy 
of a very limited number of bones, is competent to decide a 
question of this kind? Is it not possible that there may be a 
coincidence in the forms of two tarsi from birds of very dif- 
ferent genera? This very bird answers. that question in the 
affirmative, if we admit that the function which a bone has to - 
perform has any influence on its shape; for I think no one 
Would pretend for a moment, that there was any similarity 
k The horny part of the bill appears to be gone, and this may account for the 
ril 
absence of the scale over the nostril. 
* That embryonic forms of the present epoch resemble adult forms of some for- 
