490 Adams— Fossil Elephant of Malta. 
note, that, two miles distant, in a south-westerly direction, were situ- 
ated two remarkable caves, and a breccia, in which I found abundant 
remains of Hippopotamus, and of Elephas Melitensis, in situations 
clearly indicating that they had been deposited by the tumultuous 
agency of water, which in one situation had borne down the bones 
of elephants along with the soil in which they were embedded. 
There also were birds’ bones in great abundance, of the same di- 
mensions as above; and, from the length of the shafts in many cases, 
I opine that water-birds predominated. 
I have also reports, from intelligent native gentlemen, of many 
fossiliferous fissures having been discovered, chiefly in quarrying 
and digging foundations of houses, and that the contents were as 
described above, sometimes a blue clay taking the place of the red 
earth. The description of the remains in one or two instances 
clearly point to the Elephant. 
From a close study of the geological features of the districts in 
which the Post-tertiary fossil fauna of these islands has been found— 
also of the deposits and organic remains,—I am strongly of opinion 
that large bodies of water at-one time flowed over a great portion of 
the south-eastern half of the island of Malta, either before or during 
the submergence of the surrounding area. This will be more apparent 
when my explorations in other parts of the island come to be noticed. 
I cannot, however, close this brief communication without a pass- 
ing notice of the following points :— 
Ist. ‘The absence of Carnivora among the Post-tertiary fossil fauna 
hitherto discovered in Malta, although traces of gnawing on the 
bones, in one cave, very clearly shows that such quadrupeds did exist. 
2nd. The wonderful sameness of the fauna, and the excessive 
numbers of the individuals in certain situations; besides the still 
stranger anomaly of vast quantities of remains of Hippopotamus 
and Llephas occupying distinct caves, within 200 feet of each other, 
and almost on the same terrace-cliff. I believe, however, as further 
explorations proceed, the majority of these points will be cleared 
up; for there are not wanting indications among my late explora- 
tions, which, if followed up, may lead towards important discoveries. 
I will now enumerate the fossil remains of the Gandia Fissure. 
J. Exveruas Mevitensis. 
a. Teeth, Upper Jaw. Lower Jaw. 
(1.) Milk Molars. R. L. R. L. 
1. Antepenultimate . : é = — — — 
2. Penultimate . ; é : — 1 3 — 
3. Last : 5 x 5 : — 2 1 — 
(2.) True Molars. 
1. Antepenultimate 2 = 1 ies 
2. Penultimate 9 3 st Fell 
3. Last a ne i 
Total . : : i : : 4 16 
* The last true molar was of unusual size for this elephant. I fortunately was 
