ELEPHANT. 635 



The sixth molar, which from the analogy of the Mammoth (1), 

 I regard, with M. de Blainville, as the last, has from twenty-two 

 to twenty-seven plates ; its length or antero-posterior extent, fol- 

 lowing the curvature, is from twelve to fifteen inches : the breadth 

 of the grinding surface rarely exceeds three inches and a half. 



The reproductive power of the matrix in some cases surpasses 

 that of the formative development of the cavity for lodging the 

 tooth and the last lamellEe are obliged to be folded from behind 

 forwards upon the side of the tooth. I have described and figured 

 this condition in the last lower molar of the Mammoth in my 

 ' History of British Fossil Mammalia. '(2) M. de Blainville has 

 represented the same structure of the last molar tooth of both 

 the upper and lower jaw of the Elephas indicus, in the Fasci- 

 culus of the ' Osteographie des Elephans.' 



One may reasonably conjecture that the sixth molar, if it make 

 its appearance about the fiftieth year, would, from its superior depth 

 and length, continue to do the work of mastication until the pon- 

 derous Pachyderm had past the century of its existence. 



Mr. Corse has figured the sixth molar (which he calls the 

 seventh or eighth) with twenty-three plates, in tab. x of his 

 Memoir, and a small cavity c is marked as an incipient alveolus 

 for a succeeding grinder. Had it actually been such it might 

 have been expected to contain some calcified portions of the 

 anterior plates of such succeeding grinder. If, however, better 

 evidence should subsequently establish the existence of a seventh 

 grinder, it will at the same time add to the probability of the 

 longevity ascribed by the ancients to the Elephant. 



(1) I was not able to trace the series of molars of the upper jaw of this extinct Elephant, 

 out of several hundreds which I have compared, beyond the sixth, ' with twenty-two coronal 

 plates, and an antero-posterior extent of fifteen inches.' See ' British Fossil Mammalia, Part V, 

 2nd September, 1844, p. 225. The number of molars successively developed in the Indian 

 Elephant is stated at seven or eight, on the authority of Mr. Corse ; but I fully participate in 

 M. de Blainville's doubts as to the adequacy of the grounds for such a conclusion. — See the 

 'Osteographie des Elephans,' 4to. My earUest knowledge of this valuable Part of M. de 

 Blainville's great Work was from a copy transmitted by the Author, which I received from the 

 hands of Professor Matteucci at the Meeting of the British Association at York, Septem- 

 ber 30th, 1844 : it bears no date of issue. 



(2) Part V, fig. 90, p. 233 



