MADAGASCAR AND NEW ZEALAND. 243 



Before leaving these gigantic eggs, it may be well to remind my 

 readers of the Russian StruthioUthus chersonensis, whose ess far exceeds 

 that of the Ostrich, without, however, rivalling, except in the most distant 

 degree, that of the Mpyornis (cf. Ibis, 1874, 3rd ser. vol. iv. p. 4). 



I have in vain tried to trace this unique specimen, with a view 

 to make it available to science, but without success. The granulation, as 

 described in the above article, appears to me peculiar and to need further 

 investigation. 



It is always desirable to know what has become of type specimens, so 

 that they may be available for future reference. I therefore mention that I 

 have in my collection the bones of Dinornis maximus, figured by Professor 

 Owen in the 'Transactions of the Zoological Society,' vol. vi. plates Ixxxix. 

 & xc, being a femur, metatarsus, and tibia, concerning which he says 

 (p. 497):— "In March 1867 I was favoured by Major J. Michael, of the 

 Madras Staff Corps, with the opportunity of inspecting . . . . " [the above], 

 "which had been discovered, in August 1865, on the Glenmark estate 

 of ' Kermode & Co.,' about 45 miles from Christ Church, Canterbury 

 Settlement, Middle Island, New Zealand," about four feet below the surface, 

 in a bog, in such juxtaposition as to lead to the inference that these 

 were the bones of the same leg (the left). I purchased these of Major 

 Michael's agent for £25. They were supposed to be the largest ever 

 found ; I do not know if others of greater dimensions have since come 

 to lisfht. 



'»* 



In my possession are many other bones of different species of Moa ; but 

 they have no historic interest. 



It remains only to say a few words on the Plates of the two eggs of the 



