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 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. 
