Dromiceius Nov? Hollandi?. Vieill.

The New Holland Emeu, as well as the Ostrich¹ and the Cassowary, to both of which it is nearly related, is now generally regarded as belonging to the Rasorial Order, the Gallina? of Linn?us, the feet of which are formed for running and for scratching up the earth in search of the seeds which constitute their usual subsistence. Some of the birds, however, which are referred to it, and particularly those now under consideration, feed upon fruits and roots. The whole of the Order are distinguished² by a certain degree of convexity on the upper surface of the bill, the base of which is enveloped³ by a membrane⁴, in which are situated⁵ the nostrils⁶ covered by a cartilaginous[222] scale; by the muscular plumpness of their bodies, and especially of their legs; by the shortness of their wings, and the diminution⁷ of strength in their pectoral muscles; and by the thickness and strength of their anterior⁸ toes, generally three in number, united at the base alone by a connecting membrane, and roughened beneath. These characters conjoined sufficiently⁹ indicate that their proper place of abode¹⁰ is the surface of the earth, on which they are enabled to run with a greater or less degree of speed; and that the air, in which they are incapable¹¹ of elevating themselves to any considerable height, or of propelling their flight with more than moderate swiftness, and into which some of them cannot even raise themselves at all, is an uncongenial element to which they can seldom resort. They furnish the principal and most useful breeds of our domestic

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