ELEPHANT, 



053 



the naked eye the separated surface seems entire, and might readily 

 pass, as with Cuvier, for a secreting surface. The fine vascular 

 processes which have been torn from the medullary canals of the 

 calcified part are, however, conspicuous, and resemble villi, when the 

 detached surface is examined, even with a moderate magnifying 

 power, under water. 



Calcification extending from the numerous centres, the 

 different portions coalesce and progressively add to the thickness 

 of the cement until all the interspaces of the coronal plates and 

 the whole exterior of the crown is covered with the bone-like 

 substance. The enamel-pulp ceases to be developed at the base 

 of the crown ; but the capsule continues to be formed, pari passu 

 with the growth of the pulp, as this continues, progressively 

 contracting, from the base of the crown, to form by its calci- 

 fication the roots. The calcification of the capsule going on 

 at the same time, a layer of cement is formed in immediate con- 

 nection with the dentine. The circumscribed spaces at the bottom 

 of the socket to which the capsule and dentinal pulp adhere, where 

 they receive their vessels and nerves, and which are the seat of 

 the progressive formation of these respective moulds of the two 

 dental tissues, become gradually contracted, and subdivided by 

 the further localization of the reproductive forces to particular 

 spots, whence the subdivision of the base into roots. The sur- 

 rounding bone undergoes corresponding modifications, growing and 

 filling up the interspaces left by the dividing and contracting points 

 of attachment of the residuary matrix. All is subordinated to one 

 harmonious law of growth by vascular and cell-formations, and of 

 modified form by absorption : mechanical squeezing and drawing out 

 have no share in these changes of the pulp or capsule : pressure 

 at most exercises only a healthy stimulus to the vital processes. 



Cuvier believed that there were places where the dentinal pulp 

 and the capsule were separate from each other : I have never 

 found such except where the enamel-pulp was interposed between 

 them in the crown of the tooth, or where both pulp and capsule 

 adhered to the periosteum of the socket, below the crown. Cuvier 

 affirms that the number of fangs of an Elephant's molar depends 



