497 



2S40. The hinder part of a molar, showing the plates worn very obliquely. 



Purchased. 



2841. The hinder part of a lower molar, with the plates worn rather obliquely, and 

 supported by a long root of confluent fangs. Mm. Brit. 



2842. The hinder part of a lower molar, supported on a long and hollow compressed 

 root, Mw. Brit. 



2843. The hinder part of a fifth molar, upper jaw, obliquely and irregularly worn, and 

 with the fangs absorbed and apparently carious at the fore part of its base. 



The following note was transmitted with the specimen : 



" This grinder was extracted from the mouth of one of the Hon. East India Company's 

 Elephants at Trichinopoly, in the year 1814. The animal having become much emaciated 

 and refusing his rations, the cause was sought for, and found to arise from a carious tooth, 

 which it was determined should be extracted. To this end an instrument was formed similar 

 to a balling-iron, or such as is commonly used for administering a ball of medicine to a horse ; 

 only that it was made of very tough wood. The animal was then placed in such a position 

 under a large banyan tree, that his tusks could be lashed to two of its branches, and his pro- 

 boscis or trunk secured to one of his own tusks by a rope. The before-mentioned instru- 

 ment was then introduced between his jaws, when his keeper, passing a small but strong rope 

 through the orifice, hitched it over a small notch which may be observed in the tooth, and 

 giving a strong and steady pull brought away the tooth, the animal very shortly after reco- 

 vering his health and strength. 



(Signed) " W. IRELAND JONES, 



"Major, 18th Regt. M.N.I." 



"25th Sept. 1824." 



Presented by Henry Cline, Esq. 



2844. A portion of the molar tooth from a corresponding part of the lower jaw of 

 the same Elephant. 



It is less obliquely worn, but shows a similar absorbed or carious condition of the base of 

 the crown. It was extracted in the same manner as the preceding molar. 



Presented by Henry Cline, Esq. 

 The following, to No. 2864 inclusive, are parts of the African Elephant (Elephcu African**): 



2845. The skull of a young male African Elephant. 



This differs from that of the Indian species in having no concavity above the nasal bones 

 and in the much shallower depression at the fore part of the premaxillaries ; the occipital 



3s 



