Ornithic Fossil Bones from New Zealand. 169 



observable. The anterior angles of the basi sphenoidal platform 

 are formed by short, thick, outstanding pterygoid processes^ 

 with flat oblique articular surfaces for the abutment of the 

 true pterygoids. The presphenoidal rostrum passes forwards 

 from the middle of the basisphenoidal platform to the posterior 

 wall of the nasal chambers, and there is a well marked de- 

 pression on each side, beneath the optic holes, running back- 

 wards at the outside of the pterygoid processes. The foramen 

 ovale is situated in the middle of the alisphenoid, halfway 

 between the pterygoid process and glenoid cavity, with its 

 long axis in a vertical direction. The mastoid process is half 

 an inch in length, compressed laterally, and extends obliquely 

 from without inwards and backwards, with a large single 

 oblong glenoid cavity at the inner side. There is a deep pit 

 between the inner and back part of the glenoid cavity and 

 posterior root of the mastoid process. The deep temporal 

 fossae lie between the mastoid and postorbital processes, the 

 lower points of the latter being on a level with the former. 

 The distance between the postorbital and antorbital process 

 is 1 inch and T 2 «yths. There is a small oval pit beneath the 

 antorbital processes, the long axis of which runs obliquely 

 from before backwards and inwards. The olfactory chambers 

 reach backwards nearly three-fourths of the length of the 

 orbital cavities. There are two large broad anterior hori- 

 zontal divisions, and two narrow posterior ventrical olfactory 

 chambers, separated by a slight lateral inflexion of bone at 

 the posterior third of the chambers, and not by a " transverse 

 ridge," as in P. geranoides. The anterior chambers are 

 partly roofed over by the prefrontals, wedged in between the 

 anterior extremity of the frontal bones, but principally by the 

 frontals. The posterior divisions of the olfactory chambers 

 are chiefly formed by the orbitosphenoid, ethmoid, and frontal 

 bones. The olfactory foramina and radiating grooves are re- 

 markably distinct, especially at the back part of the anterior 

 larger division of the olfactory chambers. 



There is a mutilated cranium of a Palapteryx, which was 

 sent to Professor Owen by the Rev. W. Cotton, from the 

 North Island of New Zealand, described and figured in the 

 Third Volume of the " Trans, of the Zool. Soc," p. 360 (PI. 



