THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. Me 
articular aspect is 1 by 1. The length of the same bone in the two skeletons just 
referred to is 2°5 inches in the Oxford-University, and 3 inches in the King’s-College 
specimens; but young bones of the age of the latter are so shrivelled at their extre- 
mities that it becomes difficult to obtain the original dimensions. At all events, neither 
of the above is by any means so small as those three bones, and in particular fig. 5, 
which is only 1°8 inch in length. 
I believe the perfect little sesamoid, fig. 7, which was found under fig. 5, belonged 
to it; regarded as elephantine and a mature bone, it is unique. 
Fifth Metacarpal.—the specimen, fig. 6, may be said to represent an almost perfect 
miniature of the bones shown in Pl. XIX., more especially fig. 12. Portion of the 
distal facet has decayed away; but otherwise this very small left fifth metacarpal is 
entire. The proximal facets are shown at a. The phalangeal and the sesamoid facet 
is 0-7 by 0-5 inch in breadth. The outer surface is rough like an old bone. ‘The fifth 
metacarpal in the Oxford specimen is 2 inches, and King’s-College Museum 1:7 inch 
in length, whereas the above is only | inch in length. 
Now, with reference to these small foot-bones, all of which seem to bear so pointedly 
towards the establishing of a dwarf form of Elephant, it comes to be a question how 
far they admit of a connexion with the fragments of skull, teeth, tusks, and long bones 
with which they were associated ; and this, in comparison with recent species, is easily 
answered. It is clear that neither the humerus (fig. 9), ulna (fig. 10), tibia (fig. 13), 
nor any of the other exuvie surrounding them, excepting perhaps the portion of the 
skull (Pl. I. fig. 18), could have pertained to the owner of the above fore foot. More- 
over, seeing that the two examples of recent calf Elephants adduced stand respectively 
about 38 to 40 inches in height, and that Mr. Busk computes his Hlephas falconeri at 
between 30 and 36 inches, we may fairly suppose the above ranged between the two last 
figures, which would, in proportion to the recent specimens, give the same measure- 
ments. In no Elephant’s bones I have examined, where the milk-molars are in use in 
the jaws, are the epiphyses united; indeed, as far as the specimens (mostly, however, 
domesticated individuals) in museums of Great Britain extend, the condition of the 
metacarpal bones just described is not attained until the second true molar is fairly 
invaded ; and even then the epiphyses of the larger members of the extremities are not 
consolidated. How far the abnormal habits and food, as compared with the feral state, 
have to do with the period of union is not quite apparent; moreover, in the primordial 
state of these pachydermata union may have taken place earlier in life than at present. 
Suffice it, however, to say that, allowing the fragment of upper molar in the jaw 
Pl. I. fig. 18 to belong to the last of the milk-series, and that the first true molar 
was in full wear then, we might suppose that the members of the left fore foot just 
described belonged to the same individual. 
General Summary.—It will be apparent from the foregoing that the bones of the 
carpus admit of the following :— 
