188 
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in this skull. Only The lower jaw had to be supplemented from 
fragments. This skull served as a model in the construction of the 
skeleton. 
Without entering upon osteological details, I remark here, 
that the massive structure of the posterior extremities and the open 
pelvis, — the ossa pubis are not grown together, — as well as 
the number of toes are the 
most striking peculiarities, dis- 
tinguishing this skeleton from 
that of an ostrich. Palapteryx 
ingens had a fourth hind-toe 
like the Kiwi , and is thereby 
distinguished from the Dinornis 
species. On the other hand, 
the fore-extremities are very 
rudimentary, so that even wings 
such as the ostrich has, are 
entirely out of question. The 
front-edge of the breast-bone 
has two small impressions, fit- 
ting to rudimentary bones, 
scarcely two inches long ; shoul- 
der-blade and wing-bones were 
probably wholly wanting. 
The construction of the 
plaster-model was a difficult 
task, requiring much patience 
and mechanical skill. It is 
erected without a visible sup- 
port ; the iron stags passing 
Palapteryx ingent" sXvTew' of the skeleton. through tile leg-bones, and thus 
giving the skeleton that posi- 
tion, which the living bird had naturally to take so as to balance 
the bulk of its body upon its feet. The center of gravity in the 
body lies in the middle of the breast; therefore the hip-joint cannot 
