THREE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 291 
given above that only a single ridge and talon have been broken off at either end, the 
perfect tooth would have presented eight ridges, besides talons. 
“Figs. 7 and 7 @ represent, of the natural size, another fragment of a germ of the 
same tooth, comprising four of the middle and posterior ridges. It was proportionally 
smaller than fig. 8; but the form and size are irreconcilable with fig. 6; it is therefore 
inferred to be a part of m.-m. 4; it presents no special characters for a description. 
“5. True Molars.—The evidence above adduced from various instances of milk-molars 
jointly goes to prove the former existence in Malta of a small form of Elephant: this 
inference is fully corroborated by the remains of true molars ; and first, as regards those 
of the lower jaw :— 
“ Lower True Molars.—¥ig. 12 represents, of the natural size, a specimen comprising 
the greater part of a lower molar of the right side. The anterior part of the crown, 
The crown part is entire, excepting a small portion of the anterior talon, which has been recently chipped off ; 
it measures 2'-9 in length by 11 in extreme width, which is at the second plate; the greatest height (at the 
7th plate) is 1-85. The length of the grinding-surface is about 2!'; and on it are exposed the macherides of 
part of the front talon and of six plates, together with the extreme point of a single median cusp of the seventh. 
Only two of the plates, however, are worn into complete rings; and the sixth presents no less than seven minute 
annuli crowded into a space of 05. The tooth is composed of eight plates and an anterior and posterior talon, 
i.e. of ten elements. The hinder end is hollowed and flattened below the talon; but there is not the slightest 
indication of pressure by a succeeding tooth, either in this tooth, or in that shown in fig. 9. The average thick- 
ness of the plates is about 0-27; and, as far as can be seen in the few spots where the cementum has been removed 
(apparently by attrition), the surface of the enamel is finely and irregularly fluted, and in some places, though 
yery rarely, an extremely faint indication of transverse wrinkling is exhibited, but by no means so clearly as in 
the teeth shown in figs. 7, 8, 9. 
With respect to the position of this tooth in the series it is not very easy to arrive at any satisfactory deci- 
sion. As I have said, it seems to resemble so closely in all respects that represented in fig. 8, that the two 
may, I think, be safely regarded as corresponding teeth, differing only in the degree of wear they have undergone. 
The latter tooth is regarded by Dr. Falconer as the fourth upper milk-molar, and as representing an upper tooth 
corresponding to the lower milk-molar, fig. 5. From its general characters, as regards its form and the thick- 
ness of the plates, as shown more clearly in the entire tooth than in the fragment figured by Dr. Falconer, it will 
also be seen to bear a strong resemblance to fig. 9, which tooth Dr. Falconer appears to have been inclined to 
regard as the second true molar, though not certain that it might not be the first, which I think is equally (if 
not more) likely. 
We have to consider therefore whether the tooth described in this note, is m-m. 4, or m.1 5 
First, with respect to its being m-m. 4 of the same species as m. 1, or m. 2, fig. 9. 
If we compare the relative lengths of the m-m. 4 and m. 1 in E. indicus, they will be found on the average, 
as regards length, to measure about 5'-1 and 6!-6 respectively, or to stand in relation to each other as -772 to 
1-000 ; in Z. primigenius, 3!'-6 and 5'-2, or as 692 to 1-000; in Z. antiquus 5!-3 and 6'7, or as *791 to 1-000 ; 
and in E. meridionalis 4-6 and 6'-2, or as :741 to 1-000; whilst the relative lengths of the tooth we are dis- 
cussing and that shown in fig. 9 are 2-9 and 3-0, or nearly identical; and in fact, when it is remarked that 
fig. 9 has an additional plate (g), the other is actually quite as long, if not the longer. Again, if we take as the 
term of comparison the thickness of the plates, it will be found to be nearly identical in the two teeth; whilst 
if we take the relative thickness of the plates in m-m. 4 and m. 1 in the above-named species of Elephant, a very 
considerable difference will be found to exist. For instance in Z. indicus, the last milk-molar plates are ahout 
VOL. VI.—PART VY. 2s 
