discovered in New Zealand . 
93 
must have been, also, considerably larger when entire, 
as the whole of the upper ridge is much broken. This 
bone is, also, very deeply indented with muscular im¬ 
pressions. 
Having thus given, it is to be feared, rather a tedious 
detail of the Moa, and of the bones hitherto found, 
little remains, at present, than deferentially to offer 
a few remarks on the bones in question. And these 
suggestions may be noticed under two general heads. 
1st. Does the Moa now exist, or at what period of 
time is it probable that it existed? 2nd. To what 
order or family can we reasonably suppose the Moa to 
belong ? 
It is very true that at this time we have but little to 
assist us in our search; nevertheless, let us commence 
and prosecute our inquiry, considering such aids as may 
present themselves to our notice in the course of our in¬ 
vestigation at all bearing on the subject before us. 
Our first inquiry, then, will be,—Does the Moa now 
exist, or at what period of time is it probable that it did 
exist? To the first of these queries I reply, that it is my 
opinion that the species whose bones we have now 
before us does no longer exist—at least in New Zea¬ 
land. A few reasons for this opinion of mine I will 
here adduce. 
From my knowledge of the New Zealander I can but 
believe, that there is no part of his native land which has 
not been, at one time or other, trod by him, however 
mountainous or dreary it may be. As a proofcof this, I 
might mention their having proper names for every 
portion of land and water, whether hill or dale, lake or 
running stream; and their never being at a loss in 
describing distant or unfrequented parts of their own 
country—some one or other present among the “ listening 
crowd” having either visited the places spoken of, or 
received a narration from some one who had. Now, as 
