108 
Bay,—the evidence of the chemical condition of the bones themselves', and their allu- 
vial bed, favour the hypothesis of their comparatively recent date. It is not altogether 
improbable that the species of Dinornis were in existence when the Polynesian colony 
first set foot on the island; and, if so, such bulky and probably stupid birds, at first 
without the instinct and always without adequate means of escape and defence, would 
soon fall a prey to the progenitors of the present Maoris. 
In the absence of any other large wild animals, the whole art and practice of the chase 
must have been concentrated on these unhappy cursorial birds*. The gigantic Dinornis, 
we may readily suppose, would be the first to be exterminated : the strength of its kick 
would less avail, than its great bulk would prejudice its safety by making its con- 
cealment difficult ; at all events, the most recent-looking bones are those of the smaller 
species. The closely allied, but comparatively diminutive Apteryx still survives by vir- 
tue of its nocturnal habits and subterraneous hiding-place, but in fearfully diminished 
and rapidly diminishing numbers. When the source of animal food from terrestrial 
species was reduced by the total extirpation of the genus Dinornis to this low point, 
then may have arisen those cannibal practices which, until lately, formed the oppro- 
brium of a race of men in all other respects much superior to the Papuan Aborigines of 
the neighbouring continent of Australia, and very little inferior to the Polynesian natives 
of the most favoured islands of the Pacific. 
' I have been favoured with the following analyses by my friend Thomas Taylor, Esq., author of the Cata- 
logue of the Calculi and other Animal Concretions in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons :— 

** Recent Tibia of Ostrich. Fossil Femur of Dinornis didiformis. 
ARPA COT e oF ac wlain whpliaif.e-c ¥iaiiiale een 26°51 duditialMAAGhes” Ta dg fa ae ga oa bw slew wp ay SOD 
HEGMPVGCE-OT AMC... Ma thay ys ntl go ioe ees pe 65°69 Phosphate of lime with phosphate of magnesia 66°19 
Phosphate of magnesia ....-...+0.. 0.0008 0°95 Carhontibe of Uitad swt. cease ce iee = he oad 451 
Carhotinte-of hmbs.5 cosa as se opr tyee neki 6°22 PRYOR OSORIO, SF 6b dhe ek @ 2°81 
Sulphate and carbonate of soda, with Ra: roe PUNO IAL obs ea'chd acm E wtelclats kin dbte ly ata yo 0:29 
of muriate ...,...... a tole lint babe ttant die a | Sulphate, carbonate, and muriate of soda.... 0°32 
Sulphate of lime, a trace, Sulphate of lime, a trace. 
Fluorine, a trace. Fluorine, a very distinct trace. 
99°49 100°04" 

The subjoined comparative analysis, kindly undertaken by Dr. G. Day, also shows the large proportion of 
animal matter in the bones of the Dinurnis :— 


** Recent femur of Ostrich. Femur of Dinornis struthoides. 
Animal matter .,........ EO ST ee eee 20 n ee 37°86 
Inorganic matter .......... ST ie otic ats tote dee wake ave, 62:94 
100°00 100:00" 
The superabundance of animal matter in the bone of the extinct bird depends upon its being a marrow-bone, 
whilst that of the Ostrich contains air. 
® As the Maoris prize the skin and feathers of the Apteryx for the manufacture of ornamental robes, it might 
be worth inquiry whether any of the natives preserve remains of their ancestors’ dresses composed of feathers 
of unknown and larger species of birds. Such relics of a Dinornis might in this way be recovered. 
