ELEPHAS. O 1 J 



observed ; these teeth are small and closely crowded up beneath 

 the milk-molars, so that when those teeth are greatly worn the 

 premolars are exposed to view, and are no doubt shed as soon 

 as, or even before, the posterior part of the niilk-molars they 

 should replace. 



The species E. meridionalis (fig. 27) (Pier-case 33; Table- 

 case 20), of which remains are found in the Pliocene of Middle 

 and South Europe, seems to be closely related to E. planifrons, 

 and is in about the same stage of evolution, or perhaps a little 

 more advanced. The last molars may have 13-14 ridges, 

 and in some cases approach the condition seen in E. hysudricus. 

 E. meridionalis attained enormous dimensions, some individuals 



Fig. 27. 



Grinding-surface of upper molar of Elephas meridionalis. 

 Forest Bed, Norfolk. About nat. size. 



probably standing about 15 feet in height at the shoulder. 

 Remains of this species occur in the Forest Bed of Norfolk 

 (see Table-case 20) and in the Upper Pliocene deposits of the 

 Val d'Arno and the Auvergne. According to Leith Adams 

 (' British Fossil Elephants/ p. 232) , the molars are distinguished 

 by the following characters: " Crowns very broad ; columns 

 short as compared with E. antiquus, and generally as com- 

 pared with E. primigenius ; the enamel of the discs thick and 

 rarely crimped, but usually uneven, looped or channelled ; 

 plates wide apart, with thick wedges of cement." Numerous 

 teeth of this species are shown in Table-case 20. 



In this species when the plates come into wear the lateral 



