1839-40 TRACING THE BONE’S OWNER 
147 
large as, if not larger than, the full-sized male 
ostrich — with this more striking difference, that 
whereas the femur of the ostrich, like that of the 
cassowary, emu, rhea, and eagle, is “pneumatic” 
or contains air, the present huge bird’s bone had 
been filled with marrow, like that of a beast. 
‘ When its owner called the next day, I told 
him, with much pleasure, the result of my com- 
parisons, and assured him that I would recom- 
mend the purchase of the bone, at the price 
asked, to the Museum Committee. 
‘ I regret to relate that, notwithstanding my 
testimony, the purchase of the unpromising frag- 
ment was declined ; and it was not convenient to 
me in 1839 to pay the sum out of my own 
pocket. I promised, however, to commend the 
specimen to other possible purchasers, one of 
whom I found, through my friend Mr. Broderip, 
F.R.S., in Benjamin Bright, Esq., then M.P. for 
Bristol. 
‘ Meanwhile the vendor permitted me to 
make some drawings, and these, together with my 
descriptions and conclusions, were submitted to 
the Zoological Society of London, November 12, 
1839, I was not surprised that there was some 
hesitation in the Publication Committee as to 
the admission of the paper with the plate into the 
“Transactions.” 
‘ The bone was not fossilised ; it might have 
