296 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF 
the vertical plane of the posterior fang. ‘There is no distinct disk of pressure upon the 
crown portion of the talon; but there is an obscure depression at the basal part, near the 
fang, which may be of this nature*. The following are the dimensions :— 
in. 
Extreme lensth:of crowDice<s @))s. 1-8 as ae pekagy ee 
Width.in frotit ae LS ee ee ere ae endplate) 
Width inthe middle 3008 Six Vig eee tee 
Width behinds; (S0Ae “SUie Rie Ger che ogee) ovate 
Length of surface occupied by the eight anterior disks in wear 2:2 
Extreme height of crown at unworn portion, 9th ridge. . . 2°8 
“From the above dimensions, the contraction of the crown posteriorly and the consi- 
derable height of the ridges relatively to its length are well shown. 
“ Had this specimen been discovered isolated, little or no hesitation would have been 
entertained by the paleontologist in referring it to the age of a milk-molar of some 
species of Elephant. But when regarded as part of a series in connexion with the un- 
doubted milk-molars figs. 2-6 inclusive, and more especially with fig. 8, the whole of 
which are of such unusually small proportions, and when further compared with the 
adult molars of the lower jaw (figs. 11, 12, and 13) and an upper molar belonging to 
the Public Library at Malta, it is manifest that it maintains its place consistently as a 
true molar of the same series. I am at present unable to decide with confidence 
whether it had best be regarded as an antepenultimate or penultimate f. 
“Of the antepenultimate upper true molar (m. 1) no perfect specimen is to be found in 
the collection. One fragment, inferred to be a part of this tooth from its size, form, and 
proportions, comprises the two anterior ridges, together with the large fang that supports 
them. The corresponding molar of the lower jaw is equally wanting as an entire speci- 
men; but there are fragments referrible to it also.” 
With respect to the Maltese tooth in question Dr. Falconer remarks :— 
“One of the most characteristic of the specimens is an upper molar of the left side 
bearing the following label: 
“Dente che si conserva nella pubblica Biblioteca di Malta e trovato in Novembre 
1859 in Malta.’ 
‘The tooth is a well-worn upper molar of the left side, perfect so far as the crown goes, 
with the exception of the front portion supported upon the large anterior fang, which 
portion had been worn away by continued grinding action. This is distinctly proved by 
the circumstance that the grinding-plane of the crown intersects the most anterior of the 
extant fangs. The rest of the fangs from this point backwards to the posterior talon are 
* There can, I think, be no doubt that the deep hollow below the hind talon is due to the pressure of the 
succeeding capsule. 
+ There can be little doubt as to the true position of this tooth as m.1. In form and general character it is 
the exact counterpart, except in size, of an m. 1 of Z. antiquus—identified as such by Dr. Falconer. 
