1843-44 HERSCHEL ON THE WORD ‘DINORNIS’ 229 
pardoned a criticism on this spelling ? The ety- 
mology of this word and of Lyell’s Ph'ocene and 
Mzocene rocks points out sl as the true spelling. 
Now Lyell expressly rejects the e as contrary to 
the analogy of the English language. The thing 
itself appeared to me at the time only a lapsus, 
but as you have followed his example it is time to 
protest. The French, who never learn Greek 
and have no notion of what Iswos means, will 
from our spelling pronounce it d^^nornis. . . . 
‘ Yours very truly, 
‘ J. F. W. Herschel.’ 
Owen defended his spelling ‘ dinornis ’ by 
suggesting that if the spelling ‘ deinornis ’ were 
adopted, people would be just as liable to pro- 
nounce it ‘ deenornis ’ in English, by the analogy 
of such words as ‘ receive,’ &c. 
The following entries then occur in the 
journal : — 
‘ February 8. — The new range of Carnivora 
bouses in the Gardens looks very comfortable, and 
*^be animals seem to enjoy their improved situa- 
hon. There is now a splendid Arctic bear — it 
Only cost 30/. Poor Hunt (Jenny’s keeper) now 
bas the young lioness and her blind foster-brother 
the dog to look after. He said to me that he 
tvould “ far sooner have his poor Jenny.” He was 
®o much cut up about her death that he could 
hardly pronounce her name.’ 
