FOSSIL REMAINS. 335 



either the greater number or greater thinness of 

 the component laminae. 



Secondly. The position of the teeth in the jaw 

 is at a less acute angle, and more nearly parallel 

 than in the recent species. 



Thirdly. The channel within the chin at the 

 junction of the two sides of the jaw is broader in 

 proportion to its length; the exterior projecting 

 point of the chin, also at the apex of the jaw, is 

 not so prominent as in recent elephants, but trun- 

 cated as in the fossil species. Compare this jaw 

 with those of fossil elephants engraved in Cuvier's 

 Ossemens Fossiles, vol I. pi. II. fig. 1, 4, 5. PI. V, 

 fig. 4, 5. PI. VIII. fig. 1. PI. IX. fig. 8, 10. 

 PI. XI. fig. 2. 

 4. An ivory scoop, purchased by Captain Beechey from 

 the Esquimaux, and made of a portion of a very 

 large fossil tusk ; it shows at the extremities of the 

 excavated part at A and B a point that indicates 

 the axis of the tusk ; this ivory is firm and solid, 

 and in nearly the same high state of preservation 

 as the entire tusks from Eschscholtz Bay. 



Plate II. — (Fossils.) 



Fig. 1. Entire tusk of an elephant, measuring ten feet in the 

 curve and six inches in diameter at the largest part, 

 and weighing one hundred and sixty pounds. 

 2. Another tusk of an elephant, nine feet six inches in 

 the curve. 



Both these tusks are nearly perfect; two other 

 tusks of nearly the same size have marks of having 

 been chopped with some cutting instrument ; this 

 has probably been done by the Esquimaux to as- 

 certain their solidity and fitness for making their 

 utensils : the large scoop made of fossil ivory — see 

 Plate I. (Fossils) fig. 4 — shows that these people 

 apply the fossil tusks to such purposes. The tusks 

 which are thus chopped appear to have been left 

 on the shore as unfit for use, on account of the 

 shattered condition of their interior. 



