98 PROEOSCIDIANA. 



16. These animals, which resemble each other in the general 

 features of their organization, are still distinguishable by impor- 

 tant particulars, which has made it necessary to divide them into 

 three families ; the Proboscidiann, the Ordinary Pac/iydermata, 

 and the Solipedes, which may be recognised by the following 

 characters : 



(Families.) 



Having tusks, a prehensile trunk and / 

 five toes on all [he feet. \ PROBOSCIDIAN*. 



PACHYDERMATA. ! Not having a pre- C Having at least 1 D 



hrn.ile trunk, and I two toes and at j, P ^HYDKRMATA 

 not having five toes] most four. J 



on all the ket. (_ A single toe apparent. SOLIPEDES. 



FAMILY OF PROBOSCI DIANA. 



17. These are I } ac/n/dertnafa with a trunk and tusks. They 

 have five toes on all the feet, but incrusted in a sort of hoof of 

 callous skin ; their nails only are apparent. They have neither 

 canine or incisor teeth, but they have in the upper jaw two tusks 

 of enormous size; the mamma3, two in number, are placed upon 

 the chest. This family includes one living genus only. 



18. The Genus ELEPHANT, Elephas,This genus (Plate 5, 

 Jig. 1, and 2.) comprises animals of gigantic size, naturally mild 



and docile in disposition, which enables them readily to bear the 

 domestic condition. The amplitude required by the alveoli of 

 the upper jaw to contain the two tusks, elevates it so much, and 

 at the same time shortens the bones of the nose, that the nares, 

 in the skeleton, are found near the top of the face ; but in the 

 living animal they are prolonged into a cylindrical trunk, consist- 

 ing of a double tube, composed of fibres and many small muscles 

 variously interlaced, which is moveable in every direction and 

 terminates above by an appendix in the form of a finger. This 

 trunk, which communicates with the nasal fossa3, serves the 

 Elephant to seize hold of every thing he wishes to convey to the 

 mouth, to pump up his drink, and then pour it into his throat ; it 

 thus compensates for the shortness of his neck. By means of 

 this curious instrument, the Elephant can uproot trees, untie knots, 



16. Into what fairies is the order of Pachydermata divided ? What are 

 the family distinctions of the Proboscidiana ? In what particulars do the 

 Pachydermata Ordinaria differ from the Pruboscidiana ? What arc the 

 family distinctions of the Solipcdes ? 



17. What are Proboscidiana? How are thr-y recognised? Where are 

 the mam race situate? What number of genera is included in this family ? 



18. What are the general characters of animals belonging to the genus of 

 Elephants ? What is the trunk ? What functions are performed by the 

 trunk ? 



