in its recesses any living example of Dinornis; but it is certain that species of this genus were alive during the human period, and survived up to quite a recent date.  Not only are the bones very numerous in certain localities, but they are found in the most recent and superficial deposits, and they still contain a considerable proportion of animal matter; whilst in some instances bones have been found with the feathers attached, or with the horny skin of the legs still adhering to them.  Charred bones have been found in connection with native “ovens;” and the traditions of the Maories contain circumstantial accounts of gigantic wingless Birds, the “Moas,” which were hunted both for their flesh and their plumage.  Upon the whole, therefore, there can be no doubt but that the Moas of New Zealand have been exterminated at quite a recent period—­perhaps within the last century—­by the unrelenting pursuit of Man,—­a pursuit which their wingless condition rendered them unable to evade.

[Illustration:  Fig. 257.—­Skeleton of Dinornis elephantopus, greatly reduced.  Post-Pliocene, New Zealand. (After Owen.)]

In Madagascar, bones have been discovered of another huge wingless Bird, which must have been as large as, or larger than, the Dinornis giganteus, and which has been described under the name of AEpiornis maximus.  With the bones have been found eggs measuring from thirteen to fourteen inches in diameter, and computed to have the capacity of three Ostrich eggs.  At least two other smaller species of AEpiornis have been described by Grandidier and Milne-Edwards as occurring in Madagascar; and they consider the genus to be so closely allied to the Dinornis of New Zealand, as to prove that these regions, now so remote, were at one time united by land.  Unlike New Zealand, where there is the Apteryx, Madagascar is not known to possess any living wingless Birds; but in the neighbouring island of Mauritius the wingless Dodo (Didus ineptus) has been exterminated less than three hundred years ago; and the little island of Rodriguez, in the same geographical province, has in a similar period lost the equally wingless Solitaire (Pezophaps), both of these, however, being generally referred to the Rasores.

The Mammals of the Post-Pliocene period are so numerous, that in spite of the many points of interest which they present, only a few of the more important forms can be noticed here, and that but briefly.  The first order that claims our attention is that of the Marsupials, the headquarters of which at the present day is the Australian province.  In Oolitic times Europe possessed its small Marsupials, and similar forms existed in the same area in the Eocene and Miocene periods; but if size be any criterion, the culminating point in the history of the order was attained during the Post-Pliocene period in Australia.  From deposits of this age there has been disentombed