310 
differences between Aptornis and Dinornis, in this bone, than are noted at p. 85, The 
bony canal for the tendon of the “tibialis anticus” and “ extensor longus digitorum 
pedis”!, is nearer the middle of the anterior surface. The ridge forming the inner 
wall of the groove thereto leading is longer and sharper, the bony bridge (Pl. LXXXTV. 
fic. 9, f) is broader, the fibular ridge (4) is more prominent and more lateral. In 
most of these characters may be discerned a significant resemblance to the tibia of 
Notornis*, In the median position and breadth of the “extensor tendon bridge” (f ), 
in the development of the inner wall of the groove, in the outer position and promi- 
nence of the fibular ridge, similar affinities are indicated in the tibia of Cnemiornis: 
but the exaggerated development of ectocnemial and procnemial ridges in that genus 
only comes out the stronger in the comparison with Aptornis (Pl. LXXXIV. fig. 9, 
and Pl. LXX XVI. fig. 8, p, ¢). As in Apt. otidiformis, the tendinal canal is less strictly 
median in Apé. defossor, and the fore part of the inner distal condyle is more produced 
and more compressed, than in Cnemiornis. 
The fibula of Aptornis defossor (Pl. LX XXIV. figs. 10, 10 a) is 6 inches in length, has 
the usual subcompressed head, with the convex elongate articular surface for the groove 
of the outer femoral condyle; the proximal end is slightly hollowed on the inner side, in 
a minor degree convex on the outer side; the shaft, gradually tapering as usual to a 
pointed end, which seems to have contracted a second junction with the tibia, shows 
also the two rough surfaces for tendinous attachments, but less strongly marked than 
in Cnemiornis. 
§ 6. Femur of Notornis. 
The acquisition of a second, somewhat more perfect specimen of the femur of 
Notornis, from Waingongoro, in the North Island of New Zealand, induces me to 
repeat and develope a description of the bone with special reference to the illustration 
of the Ralline affinities of Aptornis. The femur of Notornis (Pl. L. fig. 3), in the pro- 
portions of length to thickness of shaft, in the degree of curvature, and of torsion on 
the axis, resembles that in smaller existing Rails and Coots more closely than does the 
femur in Aptornis or Cnemiornis. 
The head shows the same free and sharp downward production of its lower margin, 
the same proportion and position of the depression for the round ligament as in 
Aptornis, the same form and degree of extension of the articular surface upon the neck, 
the same transverse convexity of that surface. The great trochanter rises higher than 
this surface, but is relatively less elevated than in Aptornis; it is relatively as broad ; 
the anterior border is rather more sharply produced, and is brought more to the front 
surface of the bone. A linear ridge is continued therefrom down three-fourths of the 
shaft, inclining toward its inner side. A tuberosity projects below the base of the 
trochanter at the outer side of the bone, from which goes a linear ridge along the back 
' Pl. XIV. 8,9. * Pl L. fig, 4. 

