IN THE LOWER ANIMALS, ETC. 321 



the processes of the cervical vertebrae are strongly- 

 developed, and the spinous processes of the dorsal 

 vertebrae are lengthened and powerful. A glance 

 at the head of an elephant will show the thickness 

 and strength of the trunk at its attachment, and 

 the massy, arched bones of the face and thick 

 muscular neck are admirably adapted for support- 

 ing and working this powerful and wonderful 

 instrument. The great development of the diploe, 

 which we noticed in the babyroussa, attains a 

 surprising perfection in the elephant. 



The external surface of the cranium is enor- 

 mously extended, but the actual cerebral case 

 bears a very small proportion to the skull, the 

 space between the outer and inner table being 

 filled by the extensive mass of vertical cells of the 

 diploe, which are filled with air from the Eusta- 

 chian tubes. By this arrangement the external 

 surface of the cranium is extended for the inser- 

 tion of the powerful muscles and ligaments re- 

 quired to support so heavy a mass of molar teeth, 

 tusks and proboscis, without adding materially to 

 the weight of the head. 



Many novel and highly interesting details of 

 the habits of the elephant in his native forests are 

 given in Sir J. Emerson Tennent's admirable 

 work on Ceylon;* a book which, in the wide range 



* In mentioning Sir E. Tennent's book, I am reminded of an amusing 

 suggestion I lately heard, illustrating the different mental characteris- 

 tics exhibited by men of various nations. If an Englishman had the 



