1 1 4 OSTEOLOGY [Part I I .
to the olfactory fossm, as would be t he case under similar circumstances in the Dodo. The fragment is so
thickly covered with stalagmite as to render a minute description impossible, the deposit is thickest on the
anterior and posterior parts of the upper surface, and the central tract hence appears depressed; an examination
of the interior of the cranium has, however, convinced us, that this appearance is not due to any
depression of the cranial roof.
A careful examination and contrast of the figures of the cranium of the Solitaire with those of t he
corresponding part in the Dodo, will prove the family affinity of these extinct forms, as well as their
specific distinctness.
The cranium in the Solitaire is narrower and longer than in the Dodo, and is entirely destitute of the
peculiar frontal protuberance; the individual'elements, also, are less ventricose : its greatest breadth, as in
the Dodo, is a little in front of the post-orbital processes; it probably decreased in width more rapidly
forwards to the cranio-facial line. The orbits are more excavated, and the inter-orbital septum thinner, as
in the more common forms of the Columbidte; the prefrontal, especially below, is much less tiunid than in
the Dodo, and the rostrum is narrower. It resembles the cranium of the Dodo, and differs from that of the
other known Pigeons, in the position of the olfactory fossa;, which are placed immediately in front of the
cerebral cavity; the olfactory foramen, on each side, opening directly into the base of its respective fossa.
The anchylosis of the prefrontal with the other elements of the cranium, may be regarded as one of the
best proofs of the family affinity of the Solitaire and Dodo.
The occipital facet is vertical as in the Dodo; there is a ca;cal excavation of the calcareous incrustation
above the foramen magnum; does this indicate the mesial supra-occipital orifice in the Dodo and other
Pigeons ? The minute configuration of this aspect, as far as can be judged, closely resembles that in the
Dodo, and the same may be said of the lateral and inferior facets; but the posterior angles of the upper
surface are bent downwards, so as to encroach on the temporal segments of the orbito-temporal fossa;;
hence the temporal notches are less apparent when viewed from above, and the surfaces bearing the
muscular unpressions, slope more rapidly downwards than in the Dodo, but to a less extent than in the
common Pigeons. The prefronto-ethmoidal fissure is not so completely obliterated as in the Dodo ;
and the evasation of the turbinated ala is less marked, and more resembling that in Goura. The profile line
would sweep, gently convex, downwards from the vertex to the cranio-facial line. The cranial cavity in its
form corresponds to that in the Dodo.
Although we have ventured to differ from the illustrious Cuvier, who regarded this cranium as
belonging to a gallinaceous bird, we trust we shall be excused; since a careful comparison of it with the
skull of the Dodo at Oxford, has left no doubt on our minds of its affinity with that bird, mid consequently
with the Columbida. Unfortunately no portion of the upper mandible is yet known, but we may conjecture
that it was less robust and more depressed than in the Dodo, and that it was only a little longer than
the, cranium. Judging from the figure given by Leguat, the caruncular ridge forming the line of demarcation
between the pecidiar columbine cere and the feathered skin of the head, was placed at the proximal
extremity of the beak, and not on t he forehead as in the Dodo.
We may hence suppose that the Solitaire is less remote from the Treroninte than the Dodo, with which,
however, it is inseparably united in the family Didhue; the absence of the frontal protuberance and the
other dissimilarities previously mentioned, establish provisionally its generic distinction, and the discovery
of the beak will settle this question.
Less satisfactory evidence is deduciblc from the mutilated sternum (Plate X I I I . Pig. 5 & 6), which
is similarly incrusted with stalagmite. It is most perfect on the left side, the left costal process remaining,
with the costal margin; but t he external lateral processes are removed, and probably, also, a considerable
Cn. I L ] OF THE SOLITAIRE. 1 1 5
portion posteriorly, including the mesial emarginations; the origin of the keel is, however, preserved. The
form of the manubrial process differs from that in the sternum of the Gallina, but resembles that in most
Pigeons; on the contrary, the costal process is less horizontal than in Pigeons, and ascends obliquely
forwards as in the Gallina. The articular surfaces are apparently three in number, with intervening
cellular spaces, as in Goura, &c. The sternum appears to have had a well developed keel, but unfortunately,
there is not enough preserved to indicate its size and form; on the purpose of the keel in this
flightless bird, I may refer to Mr. Strickland's remarks.1 The anterior edge of the keel is grooved, and
deeply concave, as in the Gallina, but the anterior, probably, precurved angle is deficient; the deep
pneumatic excavation is seen posteriorly, beneath the manubrial process; and there is a deep depression at
the root of the costal process, anteriorly, as in Goura, &c. This sternal fragment is four inches and a
half long, and four inches broad.
The absence of any trace of the mesial fissure in the fragment preserved, and the form of the manubrial
process, distinguish this sternum from that of the typical Gallina. The great development of the costal
process, and the small number of costal articular facets, indicate a greater difference between this sternum
and that of the Eagle or Vulture, &c. The presence of the keel is a proof of its non-affinity to the
Slruthionida.
The left humerus (Plate XIV. Fig. 1 to 3) in the Parisian Museum is also incrusted, and cannot be
satisfactorily compared with that in Pigeons, wliich is the less to be regretted, since this bone furnishes no
distinctive character; it is sufficient, that there is nothing to prevent its being regarded, as belonging to a
Columbine form. It is four inches eight lines long; the pectoral crest was broken off before the bone became
incrusted; the large pneumatic depression docs not necessarily imply the existence of pneumaticity, which
was probably absent. The short obtuse process of the rudimentary metacarpal of the thumb, covered with
horn, as in Chauna, &c, formed " the little round mass under the feathers, as big as a musket ball,"
which the Solitaire employed as a weapon; the length of the wing, as indicated by that of the humerus,
would give sufficient leverage for this purpose. Although the wing was wholly inadequate for flight,
it might assist this large bird in runniug.
Dimensions of the bones of the leg of the Solitaire hi the Andersonian Museum.
1. Right femur. (Plate XIV. Fig. 4 - 7 . )
inches, lines.
Length from the inter-condyloid notch to the upper surface of the neck 5 2£
from the external condyle to the extremity of the great trochanter 5 9
Transverse diameter of the shaft 9 8
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto 0 6|
Transverse diameter of the superior extremity 16
of the lower ditto I 44
2. Left femur, with the extremities mutilated
Transverse diameter of the shaft 0 8
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto . . . . . . . 0 64
3. Length of fragment of the right femur, with the extremities mutilated 4 11
Transverse diameter of the shaft 0 9|
Antero-posterior diameter of ditto . . . . . . . 0 7-4
1 Part I. Chap. 2. p. 54, supra.
2 II