DINOTHEKIUM 



231 



also used tliunderliolts. One of the giants was not slain, but 

 was compelled to stand and bear up the heavens. Atlas holds 

 thus the position of the Elephant supporting the globe of Indian 

 mythology. 



The genus DinotJievium, sole representative of the family 

 Dinotheriidae, differs in a number of important particulars from 

 the true Elephants. In the Elephants, if there is but a single 

 pair of incisors, these are found in the upjier jaw ; in Dino- 



Fif!. 119. — Diiwtherium (jiguiUetiin. Side view of skull, tV^h natural size. 

 Miocene, Germany. (After Kaup.) 



theriuni there is apparently but a single pair, but these are 

 implanted in the lower jaw, the symphysis of which is much 

 prolonged and greatly bent downwards, so that the tusks emerge 

 at right angles to the long axis of the head, and are even bent 

 backwards. The molar teeth are five in numljer on each side of 

 each jaw and are bi- or tri-lophodont, not unlike those of the Tapir. 

 There is no cement in the valleys l)etween the ridges of these 

 teetli, and there is a. regular succession, the premolars being two 

 and the molars three.^ All the teeth are in use at the same time, 



' There are, however, three milk forerunners of the premolars, of which cue 

 has no successor. 



