66o PROROSCIDEA. 



gitudinal rows of little eminences, which resemble the feet of silk- 

 Avorms. 



The tusks are two enormously developed canine teeth projecting 

 downward from the in)per jaw, and they grow to an immense length and 

 weight. The Elephant has one molar tooth on each side of the tusk- 

 bearing jaw, composed of a number of bony plates covered with enamel. 

 The section of the tusks shows a set of streaks radiating in curves from 

 the centre to the circumference and forming lozenges where they inter- 

 sect. The tusks are only renewed once, the molars repeatedly, the old 

 ones being pushed forward by new ones coming from behind. 



In order to support the enormous weight of the teeth, tusks, and pro- 

 boscis, the head is required to be of very large dimensions, so as to 

 afford support for the powerful muscles and tendons which are requisite 

 for such a task. It is also needful that lightness should be combined 

 with magnitude, and this double condition is very beautifully fulfilled. 

 The skull of the Elephant, instead of being a mere bon}- shell round the 

 brain, is enormously enlarged bv the separation of its bony plates, the 

 intervening space being filled with a vast number of honeycomb-like 

 bony cells, their walls being hardly thicker than strong paper, and their 

 hollows filled during the life of the animal witii a kind of semi-liquid fat 

 or oil. The brain lies in a comparatively small cavity within this cellular 

 structure, and is therefore defended from the severe concussions which 

 it would otherwise experience from the frequency witli which the animal 

 employs its head as a battering-ram. 



In order to support the enormous weight which rests upon them, the 

 legs are very stout, and are set perpendicularlv. without that bend in the 

 hinder leg which is found in most animals. It mav seem strange, but it 

 is nevertheless true, that localities which would be inaccessible to a 

 horse are traversed by the Elephant with ease. In descending from a 

 height, the animal performs a very curious series of manoeuvres. Kneel- 

 ang down, with its fore-feet stretched out in front and its hinder legs 

 ibent backward, as is their wont, the Elephant hitches one of its fore-teet 

 lupon some projection or in some crevice, and bearing firmlj- upon this 

 .•support, lowers itself for a short distance. It then advances the other 

 foot, secures it in like manner, and slides still farther, never losing its 

 hold of one place of vantage until another is gained. Should no suitable 

 projection be found, the Elephant scrapes a hole in the ground with its 

 advanced foot, and makes use of this artificial depression in its descent. 



