REMAINS OF THE MOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19008, 4 May 1925, Page 8

REMAINS OF THE MOA.

INTERESTING DISCOVERY. [BY TEI.EGR.VPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Saturday. Some interesting discoveries have been made in the remarkably fine limestone cave which was recently opened at Te Palm by a resident of Pirongia. In an old quarry at the mouth of the cave an almost complete skeleton of a large moa was unearthed. Parts of the skeleton were in perfect order, while others were scattered as if they had at some time been disturbed. The bones included the upper and lower main bones of both legs, a complete series of bones for one foot, several ribs, and smaller bones. The bones of the neck and the major part of the, skull were missing. Underneath the moa bones were a number of smaller birds' bones, about the size of those of a kiwi. Tho bones, which were found in a mixture of clay and limestone, are in places coated with lime deposit, and in some instances several of them are cemented together in grotesque angles. The land in the vicinity appears to be rich in fossils, as a barbed dart such as is found in the tail of the stingray was also discovered, embedded in a piece of limestone, found near the place where the skeleton was unearthed. Traces of fishbones and shells have also been found in the limestone in tho vicinity.