8 MR. A. L. ADAMS ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 
1. Milk-incisors. 
No specimen of the milk-tusk was discovered by me similar to the very perfect and 
characteristic tooth (Pl. I. fig. 1) from the Zebbug collection, which I have reproduced 
from Dr. Falconer’s drawing’ to show the contrast between it and a much smaller 
specimen (fig. 2). The figure 1 was supposed by Dr. Falconer to represent the milk- 
incisor of Elephas melitensis. It is of the same dimensions as the tooth in two uterine 
skulls of African Elephants, 7087 and 7087 in the British Museum. But the pulp- 
cavity in the two last and in fig. 2 extends almost to the crown ; whereas it is obliterated 
in fig. 1, excepting a small foramen at the proximal extremity for nutrient vessels. As 
regards relative dimensions, the tooth is rather smaller than that of the recent species, 
and therefore, as surmised by Mr. Busk*, may have belonged to the largest form, which 
ordinarily seems to have been under the average size of the African and Asiatic 
Elephants. The crown has an investing shell of enamel on the top, which thus shows, 
as far as yet known, a peculiarity confined to the forms of the Maltese Elephants and 
the African. 
The almost entire incisor (Pl. I. fig. 2) from Mnaidra Gap represents what I 
opine is the milk-tusk of a very small form of Elephant. The outline is cylindrical, 
with a gentle curve; it is rather compressed towards the proximal, and somewhat 
truncated at the distal extremity, with a defined dark stain on the enamel 0°5 inch 
from the tip, possibly the alveolar impression. The outline of the hollow pulp-cavity 
is nearly a perfect oval, with the larger end upwards. Like the last it is not only 
tipped, but entirely enveloped in a remarkably fine shell of glistening enamel, which, 
although partially rubbed off on the part that extended beyond the gum, is well 
seen elsewhere, as also the minute surface-channellings running lengthways. ‘The 
dilated blunt point seen in fig. 1 is here wanting; and, but for attrition of the enamel, 
it would be difficult to believe that it ever resembled the other in form. But I find 
that the shape of the milk-incisor varies considerably, as does the permanent tusk, in 
the Asiatic Elephant, being often misshapen and stunted, especially in females. It is 
difficult, therefore, to surmise to what form of the Maltese Elephants the above 
belonged. From its small dimensions I should be inclined to place it with the smallest- 
sized teeth to be described in the sequel. 
2. Permanent Incisors. 
Tusks, sometimes entire, but generally in fragments, accompanied bones and molars, 
more especially wherever there were indications of entire skulls having been conveyed 
into the gaps and fissures. Indeed, from the quantities of ivory found wherever molars 
were plentiful, and the numbers of short and straight specimens, it may be surmised 
that the tusk was always fully developed in adults, and existed also in both sexes. It 
* Paleontological Memoirs, vol. ii. pl. 11. fig. 3,a&6; Trans, Zool, Soc. vol. vi. pl. 53. fig. l,a &b. 
* Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vi. p. 284 (foot-note). 
