FLIGHTLESS BIRDS. 15 
notches caused by the divergent posterior lateral pro- 
cesses, whilst the coracoid and scapula were confluent, 
as in the other Ratites. 
No wing bones, however, have been discovered, not 
even a trace of a humerus has been found in, at any rate, 
the majority of species, and it has been assumed, there- 
fore, that these birds were unique in possessing but a 
single pair of limbs. This opinion was held by Sir R. 
Owen, who came to that conclusion, not merely from the 
circumstance that no wing bones were present in the 
numerous specimens he examined, but from the fact that 
in the confluent coraco-scapula in species of Dinornis he 
could find no trace of a glenoid cavity.* The fact that no 
bones of the fore-limb have been discovered does not, of 
course, by itself prove that they did not exist; but when 
we consider the enormous number of bones of these birds 
which have been unearthed, it is certainly remarkable that 
no unequivocal evidence of the existence of these bones 
sbould have been forthcoming had they been in existence. 
Indeed, it is thought that the pectoral-girdle itself was 
absent in some of the species, as in some cases, e.g., the 
genus Pachyornis (Lydekker), the sternum presents no 
facets for the coracoids. That the remote ancestors of the 
Moas did possess a fore-limb is, of course, certain, but 
whether this was formed on the type of a wing cannot be 
definitely affirmed for lack of material. 
Looking, however, to the numerous points of resemblance 
between the Dinornithide and the other Ratites, 1t seems 
* Since this Address was delivered Dr. Forbes has kindly called my atten- 
tion to the fact that he has described and figured (Nature, Jan. 14th, 1892) 
the scapulo-coracoid of a species of Dinornis, showing a distinct glenoid 
cavity The bone presented ‘‘a deep, well-marked depression, with a beanti- 
fully smooth and polished concavity, which leaves no room for doubt that it 
has been a functional glenoid cavity for a humerus, possessing a head not 
less substantial at least than that in the Cassowaries.” 
