375 



tively recent date. It is not altogether improbable that the species of 

 Dinornis were in existence when the Polynesian colony first set foot on 

 the island ; and, if so, such bulky and probably stupid birds, at first 

 without the instinct and always without adequate means of escape and 

 defence, would soon fall a prey to the progenitors of the present natives. 

 In the absence of any other large wild animals, the whole art and 

 practice of the chase must have been concentrated on these unhappy 

 cursorial birds*. The gigantic Dinornis, we may readily suppose, would 

 be the first to be exterminated : the strength of its kick would less avail, 

 than its great bulk would prejudice its safety by making its concealment 

 difficult ; at all events, the most recent-looking bones are those of the 

 smaller species. The closely allied, but comparatively diminutive Apteryx 

 still survives by virtue of its nocturnal habits and subterraneous hiding- 

 place, but in fearfully diminished and rapidly diminishing numbers. 

 When the source of animal food from terrestrial species was reduced by 

 the total extirpation of the genus Dinornis to this low point, then may 

 have arisen those cannibal practices which, until lately, formed the op- 

 probrium of a race of men in all other respects much superior to the 

 Papuan Aborigines of the neighbouring continent of Australia, and 



" Recent Tibia of Ostrich. 



Animal matter 26*51 



Phosphate of lime 65-69 



Phosphate of magnesia 0*95 



Carbonate of lime 6*22 



Sulphate and carbonate of soda, with' 



trace of muriate 



Sulphate of lime, a trace. 

 Fluorine, a trace. 



0-12 



Fossil Femur of Dinornis didiformis. 



Animal matter 25-99 



Phosphate of lime with phosphate of "1 



> 66"19 

 magnesia J 



Carbonate of lime 4\51 



Peroxide of iron 2"81 



Alumina 0-22 



Sulphate, carbonate, and muriate of soda 0-32 



Sulphate of lime, a trace. 



Fluorine, a very distinct trace. 



99-49 100-04" 



The superabundance of animal matter in the bone of the extinct bird depends upon its being a 



marrow-bone, whilst that of the Ostrich contains air. 



* As the Maoris or aboriginal Natives prize the skin and feathers of the Apteryx for the manufacture 



of ornamental robes, it might be worth inquiry whether any of the natives preserve remains of their 



ancestors' dresses composed of feathers of unknown and larger species of birds. Such relics of a 



Dinornis might in this way be recovered. 



