227 
subcompressed and produced, as if slightly bent, backward. The upper articular sur- 
face is convex from before backward, almost flat transversely. The head of the bone 
is flattened on the inner side; almost flat, but a little convex, on the outer side: the 
fore-and-aft dimension of this end of the bone is 2 inches 9 lines ; the transverse diameter 
is 1 inch 3 lines. Below the head the bone assumes a trihedral form with the sides con- 
vex, gradually tapering and blending into a shape which is elliptic in transverse section, 
and ending in a point about 9 inches above the ankle-joint. The outer surface of the 
shaft of the fibula is impressed by two oblong rough surfaces for the insertion of muscles, 
the upper one 2 inches 9 lines in length. The inner part, which is ridge-like, dividing 
the fore from the back surface of the bone, presents a rough surface, r, 7’, with a median 
interruption, for the ligamentous attachment of the bone to the fibular ridge of the tibia. 
Metatarsus of Dinornis elephantopus. 
Comparative dimensions of the Metatarse of 
D.giganteus*. D.robustus*. D.elephantopus*, D.crassus. 
in. lines. in. lines. in. lines. in, lines, 
Penoth ccs oh Mae Le ee © 15 9 9 3 es 
Transverse breadth of proximal end...... 4 3 4 6 4 5 3 3 
Ditto ditto distal end........ 5 64 & $ 5 4 eo 9 
Least.ditto: oF iiaitg.) sie oo sh ite sites oo 3 2 o8 a r «3 
Fore-and-aft breadth of proximal end.. . . 3 2 3 2 2 10 2 5 
Circumference of ditto. .......-...+-> 12 O 12. 9 Ere Ay 9 (63 
Least circumference of shaft .......... 6 6 63 5 3 6 6 4 6 
Breadth of middle trochlea ............  ~ 40 oe a? eas Pe 3 
Length, following the curve .......... 5 9 5 4 5 3 4 0 
I had, hitherto, regarded the metatarse of Dinornis crassus, described and figured 
at p. 137, in Pl. XL. figs. 4 & 5, as presenting the most extraordinary form and 
proportions of all the restored species of huge wingless birds of New Zealand; but 
it is strikingly surpassed in robustness and in great relative breadth and thickness 
by the same bone of the present species (Pl. LVII. fig. 1), which chiefly on that 
account I have proposed to name elephantopus. Only in the great Maccaws and 
Penguins do the proportions of the metatarsus resemble those in this most robust- 
legged of birds; but the Parrot-tribe present those peculiar modifications of the distal 
trochlez, with the strong articulation for the back toe, which relate to the Scansorial 
modifications of the bird’s foot ; and the Penguins associate with their broad and short 
metatarsus a characteristic retention of much of the primitive separation of the three 
constituent bones. In Dinornis clephantopus these elements have become as com- 
pletely coalesced as in any other species, and the geveral characters of both proximal 
and distal ends accord with those in previously described species. On a more speciz! 
comparison of the metatarse of Dinornis elephantopus with that of its nearest congener 
' Plate XXVII, fig, 1. 4 Plate XLIX. 3 Plate LVII. 
