14 MR. A. L. ADAMS ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 
and aged. This subject, however, has been fully discussed by me elsewhere’. I shall 
therefore proceed at once te a consideration of their anatomical characters. 
As regards dimensions the specimens constitute two series, graduating regularly 
from the smallest to the largest, the extremes of length in upper teeth being 1°6 to 
2 inches, against 1-3 to 2-4 inches in the lower jaw. 
A Series—The smallest penultimate milk-molar in my possession—indeed, I believe, 
the most diminutive third milk-tooth of any recent or fossil species of elephant hitherto 
figured and described, is represented by the entire and beautifully preserved specimen 
of the left-side lower jaw No. 14 (PI. I. figs. 8 & 8a). The one described by Falconer? 
is not quite entire; and although apparently belonging to the same type, it is a little 
larger, seeing that with the loss of its anterior talon it contains six ridges in 13 inch, 
whereas fig. 8 holds seven ridges in the same space. The latter molar is well worn, so 
as to fully display the character of the crown-pattern, which is precisely like that of 
the other, and bears also a resemblance to the disk of Elephas antiquus and the African 
species. This character pervades generally all molars of Maltese fossil elephants, with 
faint crimping near the middle of the disk, which is expanded, and shows a small 
angulation, as in E. antiquus. On the anterior talon of fig. 8 there is a distinct 
pressure-scar, 0°2 inch broad, and the usual pressure-hollow posteriorly at 6. As 
regards comparisons, it is almost needless to state that the above is about half as long 
and one third as broad as even the smallest penultimate milk-molar of any known 
species of the genus. 
The somewhat imperfect upper molar (No. 2, figs. 7 & 7a) shows satisfactorily that 
it originally held the same number of ridges as the last in about 1°6 inch. Here the 
pressure-scar (fig. 7a, 4) is 0°6 inch broad, and indicates a succeeding tooth impinging 
steadily on the posterior talon. The fangs are consolidated, and the crown is con- 
siderably arcuated externally, seeing it is an upper molar. Although as far advanced 
in wear as fig. 7, the macherides are more crimped, whilst the central dilatation and 
angulations are also pronounced. 
The two perfect and very instructive upper and lower teeth (Nos. 91 & 90) belonging 
to the same skull have been already noticed in connexion with the foregoing members 
of the milk-series. They are represented in situ (PI. II. figs. 1 & 2). The upper penul- 
timate milk-molar in fig. 1 has a ridge less than any of the foregoing, just as obtains 
in the antepenultimate (Pl. I. fig. 3). It bears a close resemblance to the entire speci- 
men of the penultimate milk-molar of Falconer’s Z. melitensis*, only that it contains seven 
ridges in 1°4 inch, whereas fig. 1 holds six ridges in 1°5 inch; nevertheless these two teeth 
are very much alike, and contrast with the upper molar just described in their thick plates. 
The investing cement in Falconer’s molar has been denuded; but in fig. 1 it is present, 
and gives a thick-plated aspect to the crown. Immediately in front of fig. 1 there are 
’ Nat. Hist. & Arch. of Nile Valley and Malta, p. 161. 
* Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. vi. pl. 53. figs. 4 & 4a. * Thid. figs. 6 & 6a, 
