474 



PETRIFACTIONS AND THEIR TEACHINGS. CHAP. VI. 



specimens. I therefore need only refer the reader unacquainted with 

 the highly interesting history of the discovery of the carcass of this 

 species in the frozen soil of the banks of the Lena, to " Wonders of 

 Geology," p. 152; and point out to the visitor the fine teeth and crania 

 in the Wall-case A, and the enormous tusks obtained from the Arctic 

 regions, that are placed above. 



Elephas meridionalis. This species is found in the newer tertiary 

 deposits, and is comparatively rare in this country ; there are teeth and 

 bones from the Norwich Crag, and from Grays, in Essex. From this 

 last named locality was obtained the series of bones of the foot placed 

 on the pedestal /; there are three carpals, and two inetacarpals ; the 

 middle metacarpal is eight inches long, and four inches wide; twice the 

 size of the corresponding bones in the skeleton of the mammoth. 



CHAPTER VI. PAUT IV. 

 FOSSIL MAMMALIA OF THE TERTIAEY FORMATIONS. 



. 1 Wall-cases 12, 14. This extinct mammalian was 

 first known by some large molar teeth, described by Baron Cuvier 



as belonging to a gigantic 

 animal related to the Tapir, 

 and which he designated 

 " Tapir gigantesque." Sub- 

 sequently, the entire skull 

 and lower jaws were disco- 

 vered in Miocene sand, near 

 Epplesheim, by M. Klipstein, 

 and described by M. Kaup. 

 The model in the Museum is 

 from this celebrated speci- 

 men; the original is now, I 

 believe, in the Jardin des 

 Plantes, having been pur- 

 chased by the French Govern- 

 ment. 



The skull is characterised 

 by a very flat occiput, large 

 nasal apertures opening above, 

 large suborbital fossae, which, 

 together with the form of the 

 nose, indicate the existence of 

 a short trunk, or proboscis. 

 The lower jaw has in front two enormous tusks directed downwards, 

 and gently curved inwards ; the molar teeth () resemble those of the 

 Tapirs and Lamantins. The annexed figure will enable the reader to 

 identify the specimen, and distinguish the most essential characters. 



1 The enormous size of the skull, and the powerful tusks, suggested 

 the name Dinotherium. " Medals of Creation," p. 832. 



LIGN. 109. CRANIUM AND JAWS OF DINO- 



IHERIUM GIGAKTEUM, FROM EPPLESHEIM. 



(^s nat - size -) 



