244 



ZOOLOGY. 



muscles only R. K.], so arranged as to elongate and shorten 

 the instrument in every conceivable manner. A cartilaginous 

 and elastic valvule exists superiorly, so as to cut off, at the will 



Fig. 205. Section of the proboscis of the Elephant. 



Fig. 206. Molars of the Elephant : A, Asiatic; B, African. 



of the animal, all communication between the proboscis and the 

 true nostrils superiorly; a finger-like appendage terminates 

 this remarkable instrument inferiorly. The enormous weight 

 of the head renders a proboscis necessary to the existence of 

 the animal, without which it could neither feed nor drink. 



The elephants are the only animals which have a proboscis, 

 but there are others in which the nasal organs are prolonged 



