were found to be destitute of all indigenous terrestrial mammalia,-man, of the Malay race, and, we believe, a small dingo-dog, his companion, excepted. As far, therefore, as the lower mammalia are concerned, the zoological history of New Zealand is a blank. In the adjacent seas, whales of various species are abundant; but these animals are tenants of the wide ocean, and we are speaking in reference to the land alone. What, then, is there in New Zealand so remarkable as to have produced a sort of excitement in the world of zoological science? Has it any strange reptile forms?-No. Has its insect population awakened surprise? -Not at all. But its ornithological productions include among them some of the most singular in nature, and on which the eye of science gazes with astonishment and delight. New Zealand is a theatre, so to speak, on which strange birds have, in comparatively recent days, acted their destined part and passed away, and on which strange birds still exist, the extinction of which, in a few years, is inevitable. Some of these birds are brevipennate, or, in popular language, wingless, the wings being in so rudimentary a condition as to be utterly useless as organs of flight;others are remarkable for the singularity of their forms and habits. First, let us glance at the brevipennate group. In the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London for January 10, 1843, will be found the notice of a letter from the rev. Mr. Cotton, dated Waimate, near the Bay of Islands, relative to the remains of a gigantic bird discovered in New Zealand. This letter is addressed to professor Owen, who for some time previously had become possessed of a single bone, which he correctly regarded as belonging to a huge bird, far exceeding the ostrich in stature.-(Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 169.) On making inquiries of the rev. Mr. Williams, East Cape, Bay of Islands, that gentleman showed the rev. Mr. Cotton a great quantity of these bones, of which he had already sent off two cases to Dr. Buckland, with a letter detailing the circumstances under which they were found. These bones are not truly fossilized, but have been buried in the mud of fresh water streams communicating with high mountains. It would appear that the natives have some old traditions respect ing these birds, which were most probably extirpated by the Malay population soon after its spread in these islands, inasmuch they afforded the largest supply of animal food, and that, too, obtained with ease, as they could not escape by flight. On January 24, 1843, one of the cases sent to Dr. Buckland by the rev. Mr. Williams, having arrived, professor Owen, to whom the bones were entrusted for description, entered at some length into the comparative osteology of this huge New Zealand bird (the movie, or moa of the natives), to which he gave the scientific appellation of Dinornis Nova Zealandia. These bones were found in the North Island; the species was threetoed, like the emeu, rhea, and cassowary; its contour was heavy and massive, and probably it was sluggish in its manners. In concluding his remarks, professor Owen says, "There is little probability that the Dinornis Novæ Zealandiæ will ever be found, whether living or extinct, in any other part of the world than the islands of New Zealand or the parts adjacent. At all events, this bird will always remain one of the most extraordinary of the zoological facts in the history of those islands; and it may not be saying too much to characterize it as one of the most remarkable acquisitions to zoology in general which the present century has produced."― (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 10.) The arrival in due time of the second box of bones from the rev. Mr. Williams, enabled professor Owen to push forward his researches, which led to the discovery of five distinct species. Consequently, the specific term Nova Zealandia, equally applicable to all, could no longer be retained. Among these bones, no part of the skull, sternum, ribs, or wing-bones were transmitted-nevertheless, the indicia afforded by the bones of the legs were perfectly conclusive. These species were termed, respectively-1. Dinornis giganteus, which must have stood about ten feet high; 2. D. struthoides, about seven feet high; 3. D. didiformis, about four feet high, stout and robust; 4. D. otidiformis, equal in stature to the great bustard; 5. D. dromœoides, about five feet in height, or the size of the emeu. In the course of his observations, professor Owen commented upon the evidences of the former existence of tridactyle birds, afforded by the impressions of their feet in the new red sandstone of Connecticut, called Ornithichnites; and, having pointed out the proportions of the tarso-metatarsal bones (shank bone) in the existing struthious birds (ostriches, etc.) to their foot prints, indicated thereby the size of the same bone in different ornithichnites, and reciprocally the sizes of the foot prints of the different dinornithes from those of their tarso-metatarsal bones. The two phalanges of the dinornis which were described and compared in this section of the memoir, afforded pretty clear indications of the form and proportions of the toes in the two species (giganteus and didiformis) to which they were referred. These data show that the tripid footprints of the Dinornis giganteus must have exceeded in size those of the Ornithichnites giganteus and O. ingens of professor Hitchcock, and that the Din. didiformis must have left impressions as large as those called Ornithichnites tuberosus. The professor warned his hearers against inferring identity of species, or even genus, between the extinct struthionide of New Zealand and those which have left their footprints on strata of the trias formation of North America. Subsequently to 1843, other cases of bones have been received from New Zealand, and among them portions of the skull of Dinornis struthoides and D. dromœoides, as well as the shield-shaped sternum of D. giganteus. These bones, and others of the limbs and vertebræ, in a very perfect condition, enabled professor Owen to determine some additional species, and to make a more rigorous examination, He found, for example, that in some species, the presence of a fourth or back toe was clearly indicated, by a surface for its articulation on the back of the shank. Such species he has separated into a genus termed Palapteryx, and into this must the Dinornis dromaoides be drafted, The new species then recovered were1. Palapteryx ingens, North Island; little inferior to giganteus in magnitude. 2. Dinornis crassus, Middle Island; with a stature nearly equal to that of the ostrich, but with the femur (thigh bone) and tarso-metatarsus double the thickness in proportion to their length. "It must have been the strongest and most robust of birds, and the best representative of the pachydermal type in the feathered class." 3. Dinornis curtus, North Island; a small species, intermediate in size between D. didiformis and D. otidiformis. 4. Dinornis (Palapteryx) casuarinus,Middle Island; a feeble depression indicates that this species had a back toe, in the corresponding situation to that in the apteryx, but more rudimental. — (See Proceeds. Zool. Soc. 1846, p. 46; also, Trans. Zool. Soc., vol. iii.) In all, professor Owen cleared up nine species; but he observes, that among the remains, were the femoræ, tubiæ, and tarso-metatarsi of a dinornis of the height of Palapteryx ingens, but of more robust proportions, and with a feeble indication of a surface for a back toe. From the Middle Island. This species is not named. The progressive knowledge which we have obtained relative to these strange extinct birds, does not here terminate. Further discoveries have been made within the last year-the result of a very extensive and valuable series of skulls and other bones, collected by Mr. Walter Mantell, in a deposit of volcanic sand at Waingongoro, North Island of New Zealand, and now in the possession of Dr. Gideon Mantell, F.R.S., who invited professor Owen to determine and describe them. These relics are principally referable to Dinornis giganteus, D. casuarinus, D. didiformis, D. curtus, Palapteryx ingens, P. dromœoides, and a new species, P. geranoides. Professor Owen directed the attention of the scientific meeting to a tarso-metatarsal bone, which had supported a strong back toe, and resembled the metatarsus of the dodo, and which apparently belonged to the leg of the species which he had previously characterized as Dinornis otidiformis; but this species constitutes the type of a new and distinct genus, termed by the professor Apterornis. The collection contained the bones of seals and of the dog, and also of the human subject; the latter had been calcined, and were probably the remains of some cannibal feast of the natives. The uncalcined bones of the seal were in the same state (brittle, absorbent, and of a yellowish brown colour) as the bones of the extinct birds with which they were associated, and appear to have been coeval. Numerous fragments of the shells of more than one kind of egg, the largest surpassing in size the egg of the ostrich, had also been discovered with the bones. In his description of the bones of the head, the professor clearly demonstrated that they belonged to five distinct genera of birds, namely, Dinornis, Palapteryx, Apterornis, a wingless bird of the graltatorial order, and allied to the rails, forming the type of a new genus, Notornis; and a parrot referable to the genus Nestor. In Dinornis, the beak is of a peculiar form, being very strong, broad, subelongated, and subincurved, and resembling an adze in shape. In Palapteryx, the beak makes a near approach to that of the emeu. extinct parrot was wingless, any more than is the living species. Setting, therefore, this genus aside, we have four distinct genera of wingless birds already determined peculiar to New Zealand ;others, probably, will be hereafter brought to light. This observation is applicable to other countries besides New Zealand. The remains, for example, of a gigantic struthious bird, representing the ostrich of Africa, have been discovered by Dr. Falconer, in the Sewalik Hills.—(ProIn Notornis, the beak resem-ceeds. Zool. Soc. 1847, p. 11.) We merely bles that of the rail or Porphyrio (purple mention this circumstance en passant. It gallinule.) In Nestor, the beak is hooked, is with New Zealand only with which we with the upper mandible singularly elon- have any present concern, and which, as gated and adapted for digging up roots. we have said, presents us, as far as is A living species, nocturnal in its habits, ascertained, with four wingless extinct is still found in New Zealand. genera-Dinornis, Palapteryx, Apterornis, and Notornis. "With regard to the peculiar form of beak in Dinornis, reference was made to the deductions in the former memoirs from the unusual strength of the neck, that the Dinornis would be found to have a beak applicable to a more laborious task than the mere plucking of seeds, fruits, or herbage, and that the robust proportions of the cervical vertebræ, especially of their spinous processes, may have been the foundation of those forces by which the beak was associated with the feet in the labour of dislodging the farinaceous roots of the ferns that grow in characteristic abundance in New Zealand. "For this labour the beak of the dinornis, formed after the model of the adze or pickaxe, seems peculiarly adapted; and the singular development, both in breadth and depth, of the occipital part of the cranium, with its strongly marked ridges, processes, and muscular depressions, is precisely calculated for the adequate attachment of the muscular masses arising from the cervical vertebræ. "The second form of beak and cranium referred to the genus Palapteryx, and indicates that genus to be a member of the true Struthionida, and, by its affinities, to have been intermediate between Dromaius (emeu) and Apteryx. "The Notornis is a struthious or brevipennate form of the Rallidae, intermediate between Porphyrio and Brachypteryx. The remains of the beak of the psittaceous bird are not distinguishable generically from those of the genus Nestor, of New Zealand."--(Proceeds, Zool. Soc. 1848, p. 9.) We have no reason to believe that this On taking a review of the foregoing details, one thing cannot but strike us, namely, the vast number, specifically considered, of wingless, or, strictly speaking, brevipennate birds, which once tenanted so comparatively small a portion of the earth as New Zealand. It is true, that in remoter times, brevipennate birds might have been far more numerous, and far more widely spread than we see the existing species to be at the present day; and could all their remains be recovered and rigidly studied, it is not improbable that these birds would be found naturally to constitute a distinct section of the class AVES, divisible into several families and many genera. We know, for example, that the dodo, of Mauritius, and the solitaire, of Rodriguez, together with, perhaps, one or two wingless birds in Bourbon, were in existence nearly to the middle of the last century; yet we know not what these birds really were, nor the degrees of their relationship to other wingless birds. In a recent work on the subject, by Messrs. Strickland and Melville, (London, 1848,) it is strenuously contended, from a comparison of the few relics left us, that the dodo is more intimately related to the pigeon group than to any other now extant. Without hazarding an opinion in favour of, or contrary to this theory, we cannot help suspecting that, until a more extensive acquaintance with the relics of many more extinct wingless birds than are at present discovered is obtained, the true place neither of the dodo, the solitaire, the Dinornis, the Palophryx, the Apterornis, etc., will not be thoroughly established. STAGE COACHES AND OMNIBUSES. Ir is stated by Stow, that in "1564, Boonen, a Dutchman, became the queen's coachman, and was the first that brought the use of coaches into England." Anderson, on the other hand, says that "about 1580, the use of coaches was introduced by the earl of Arundel." "Before that time," according to Hume, "the queen, on public occasions, rode behind her chamberlain." A long time elapsed before this luxury was attained by more than a very few rich and distinguished individuals, and a very much longer time before coaches became general. Coaches let for hire were first established in England in 1625. They did not stand in the streets, but at the principal inns. In 1637 there were, in London and Westminster, fifty hackney coaches. passengers treating the female to breakfast and dinner on the road, continued till these coaches were established. The public are now so familiarized with the use of stage coaches, that they are apt to forget that their origin is so recent. Until the invention of springs, a man's endurance was the measure of his journey: it was impossible to travel fast, on account of the weight of the carriage; it was equally impossible to travel far, since no one could long bear the direct and unmitigated jar. Springs were the first means towards better travelling; since their invention, the increased speed and better appointment of English stage coaches were caused by the improvement of roads in conjunction with the great demand for rapid travelling. consisting of three bodies, and are drawn by five or six horses, usually driven by one postilion from his saddle. The first body, called the coupé, formed like a chariot, contains three people; the second, which is like a coach, the interieur, holds six persons; the third, In France the diligences are conducted by private speculators, who are obliged to use the horses of the poste royale. Stage coaches were first used in Eng-They are clumsy carriages, generally land soon after the introduction of hired carriages. In Scotland, in 1678, provost Campbell established a coach to run from Glasgow to Edinburgh, "drawn by sax able horses, to leave Edinboro' ilk Monday morning, and return again (God willing) ilk Saturday night." The first mail coach travelled from London to Edinburgh about 1785, and to Glasgow in 1788. The Scotch custom of the male AUGUST, 1849. which is similar to a coach turned sideways, carries six or eight passengers, and is called the rotonde. In addition to Ꮓ or these, there is on the roof, before the place appropriated to the luggage, the banquette, a bench sometimes garnished with a hood, for the accommodation of four passengers. Should all these places be filled, the conducteur, guard, sits upon the luggage. The speed of these carriages is from four to five (English) miles an hour: the fares vary according to the part of the vehicle in which the place is taken; the coupé being the dearest; the intérieur the next; and then the rotonde and the banquette. The fare in the coupé is rather more than half that of an outside place in England; but a large additional charge is often made to each passenger for all luggage above thirty pounds in weight. The malle postes, by which the letters are conveyed, are conducted by the government. They are the fastest and best appointed public carriages on the continent. Their speed is at least eight miles an hour; they are drawn by horses of the poste royale, and carry one person in the cabriolet, with the courier, and two persons in the second body, or caleche. The fares are considerably higher than in the diligences. Stage coaches, which in this country had arrived at such a degree of perfection, and which, till within a few years, passed through and connected almost every small town in the united kingdom, have now nearly disappeared in consequence of the introduction of railroads. It is also rare in London to meet with a solitary hackney coach, this class of vehicles being almost entirely superseded by the lighter one-horse cabriolets now plying for hire in the streets of London, amounting to 2,650, of which probably not more than 250 are two-horse coaches. That very useful form of public conveyance, the omnibus, which is at present met with in nearly every large town in Europe, originated in Paris in 1827. In the latter part of 1831 and the beginning of 1832, omnibuses began to ply in the streets of London. Those running from Paddington to the Bank were the earliest. Carriages, however, of a similar form were used in England, as long stages, more than forty years ago; but were discontinued, as they were not found profitable. There are now about 900 omnibuses running in London and its immediate vicinity. The line from Paddington to the Bank is served by two companies, the THE man who can choose his place of residence, and who wishes to screen himself and his domestic circle from prying inquisitiveness and constant remark, should seek it in the midst or on the borders of a large and busy population. In London such is the ceaseless activity, that multitudes live utterly ignorant of those dwelling in their immediate neighbourhood. The writer knew a man of business in one of its populous thoroughfares, who, obliged to leave his shop to change a note, obtained smaller ones of a tradesman only a few doors off: till then they had never looked in each other's face, though they had been absolutely living together in St. Martin's-court for many years. He was also acquainted with another, who for a very long period never saw his next door neighbour; that person always leaving his home very early in the morning, and returning home late. Could the extent be described to which concealment may be carried in the metropolis, if desired, by persons of solitary habits, or, if sought as a refuge from the penalties of crime, it would be deemed incredible. It is not so in a little country town. Enter it as you may, on foot, on horseback, or in any vehicle, and there will probably be some one at least to gaze at you intently, and to wonder who you are. Stop there a few days, and there will be assuredly many a speculation about you; but take up your abode there, and if everything is not known as to your "birth, parentage, and education," what money you have gained or lost, with all your plans and prospects for the future, it will not be for want of the inquiries and guesses of those who seem to attend to every one's business but their own; or of gossips, ever ready to fetch and carry all they can obtain. The settler down in such circum stances, or in the heart or borders of a village, will often be surprised as to what |