366 



1590. A smaller phalanx, apparently a proximal one of an outer toe. It pre- 

 sents an unsymmetrical figure, and its proximal articular concavity is 

 continuous with an oblique notch which divides the lower border into two 

 tuberosities. This structure is slightly indicated at the corresponding 

 part of the proximal phalanx of the outer toe in the Ostrich, and in the 

 Bustard is as strongly marked in the proximal phalanx of both the outer 

 and inner of the three toes as in the pbalanx of the Dinornis. This 

 phalanx measures one inch ten lines in length, one inch two lines across 

 the proximal end, and ten lines across the distal end : the articular sur- 

 face here is impressed by a vertical groove, as in the proximal phalanges 

 of the outer and inner toes in the Bustard, and it agrees in its general 

 figure with that of the outer toe of the left foot, but is much thicker in 

 proportion to its length. The proximal articulation matches in size with, 

 but is not adapted by its configuration to, the outer trochlea of the trifid 

 metatarsal of the Dinornis didiformis. 



1591. The shaft of the right femur of the Dinornis otidiformis . It measures 



two inches one line in circumference at the middle of the shaft. 



1592. The right tibia of the Dinornis otidiformis. It measures eight inches 

 nine lines in length, and one inch eleven lines in circumference at the 

 middle of the shaft. This bone, notwithstanding the disparity of size 

 between it and the tibia of the Dinornis giganteus, presents the cha- 

 racters of full maturity; the ridge for the fibula and those at the 

 proximal end of the bone being quite as strongly developed. In the 

 tibia of a half-grown Ostrich, the antero-external ridge, which in the 

 adult projects strongly from the head of the bone, is in the state of car- 

 tilage, the fibular ridge undeveloped, and both articular extremities in a 

 state of epiphysis and incompletely ossified : the same conditions which 

 influence, as has been already remarked, the tardy ossification in the 

 Ostrich must have been still more operative in the Dinornis, in which 

 the absence of air in the femur indicates as low a development of the 

 respiratory system as in the Apteryx. If this reasoning be admitted to 

 establish the maturity of the tibiae of the Dinornis ingens and Dinornis 

 didiformis, it equally proves that of the present tibia, which bears the same 



