THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 7 
common than the first; and the inward dimensions are partly due to a thicker enamel, 
but more so to the thicker dentine of the plates. 
“This conclusion as to the varieties is not derived from the worn surfaces of the teeth, 
but from the space a given number of plates occupy in any portion of an antero-posterior 
line midway between the grinding-surface and the base of the molar. 
** As an illustration I send you the measurements of the spaces which eight plates 
occupy in six upper ultimate molars of corresponding size, and of small individuals. 
inches. 
oP TOTHBEISCUSCHONZ sae fs eae el -|  ees 2°8 | 
2. From Ballingdon, Herts. . . . . . . . . 2-9 7Thin-plated. 
a. Exon cavern near Welly .°*.- 0. 2 ws. 29) 
Pa LITE cell eel ater el me a a aed 3°6 | 
Eyer UTel SIEGE, gees ht alah pe ASN A ales, at el aaa at if Thick-plated. 
6. Erith . 4-0) 
“Tn a very large tooth of this species, dredged off Happisburgh, the same number of 
plates fill a space of 4:7. 
“But the teeth of fossil Elephants are so variable in size and character, that it is 
impossible to draw a line by measurements between the thin-plated and the thick-plated 
varieties ; I distinguish them more by general appearance and character of the teeth, 
than by the assistance of compass and rule. All the thin-plated molars are shorter, and 
the setting of the plates much more compact. I believe, from my personal experience, 
that the varieties are local; but I cannot positively assert it.” 
What has been designated the “talon-complication” is, as regards the molars of the 
Maltese fossil Elephants, quite as embarrassing as in other species. The varieties of 
form and shape assumed by the first and last ridges prove, at all events, the necessity of 
invariably including all enamelled laminz in the ridge-formula, whether springing from 
the body of a plate, or in common with it arising from the base at the reflections. 
Sometimes, however, they are rudimentary, forming small digitated splints, or enamelled 
eminences, or a talon-shaped ridge, so that it is difficult to decide whether or not such 
should be included in the estimate; and this, as regards certain molars, is of considerable 
importance with reference to specific distinctions, as will be shown presently. Dr. 
Falconer lays much stress on the number of ridges, combined with their characters, as 
diagnostic of species of Mastodon and Elephant; indeed, as regards the latter, he has 
founded the subgenera Stegodon, Loxodon, and Euelephas entirely on dental features. It 
must, however, I opine, be generally admitted that, invaluable as are such data when 
taken as characteristic of types or forms, both the characters and ridge-formulas are apt 
to vary, not only in allied species, but, as just observed, in members of the same species. 
Indeed, to arrive at even an ordinary estimate, it is necessary to examine a much larger 
assortment of materials than come usually within the reach of a single observer. 
