THKBE EXTINCT SPECIES OF ELEPHANT. 241 



the formei', if the ribs are articulated as in the Indian Elepliant, seeing that the remains 

 of an articular surface are visible on the anterior aspect of the left transverse process. 

 The bone is remarkably perfect, wanting only the extremity of the neural spine and 

 a small portion of the right transverse process. 



Its principal dimensions aie as follovcs: — Transverse width from the end of one 

 transverse process to the other, as they are, 4"-7, but in the perfect state probably 5" or 

 more. Height of body l"-85. Thickness l"-5. Width of anterior surface of body 

 2'-15, of posterior 2"-2 ; anterior costal facets l"-lx0"-9; of posterior l"-05x0"-65; 

 ap. d. of neurapophyses 1" 2 ; extreme distance between the outer borders of the 

 two posterior articular facets 1"-G. The neural arch, especially when viewed from 

 behind, is cordiform, about 1" high, and 1"'4 wide ; the body is also cordiform in figure, 

 very concave behind, and but slightly convex in front. The neural spine is inclined 

 backwai'ds almost to a horizontal position. It is sharply carinate above, with a deep 

 irregular hollow on one side only ; beneath it is deeply and widely sulcate beyond the 

 expanded base, whilst between the posterior articular facets it presents an elevated 

 ridge. 



4. The second or third lumbar vertebra (fig. 11), evidently belonging to the same 

 animal as the other two. It is unfortunately not quite so perfect as either of the 

 others, but still sufficiently so to afford a very good idea of its characters. Its dimen- 

 sions are : — Height of body l"-7 ; thickness or ap. d. 1"'5 ; width of anterior surface 

 2'''1, and of posterior 2""4; ap. d. of neurapophyses I'T; extreme distance between 

 the outer borders of the posterior articular facets 1""5. The neural arch is depressed, 

 its height about 0"-8, and width in front l"-65. The body is suboval, very concave 

 behind, and nearly flat in front. Both transverse processes are broken short off, as is 

 also the greater part of the apparently small neural spine. 



In the second lumbar vertebra of E. (var ) sitmatrensis, which approaches the nearest 

 in size to the Maltese specimen, the diameter of the body behind is 3"-45, and its 

 thickness 2"-8 ; whilst the distance between the outer borders of the posterior articular 

 surfaces is l"-95, and the transverse diameter of the canal 2"-2, and its height l"-68. 



5. The only other fragment belonging to the spine, and appearing from its dimensions 

 to correspond very closely with the three vertebrae just described, is one of the anterior 

 dorsal spines (PI. XLV. fig. 7). It is broken off through the roots of the neurapophyses, 

 so that a small segment of the medullary canal is left. Measured from this point to 

 the extremity, which, though chipped on one side, yet shows very distinctly that it was 

 tipped with cartilage, the length of the spine along the anterior border is about 5". 

 It is very slender and subtriangular in shape, with an acute angle in front, and rather 

 obtuse ones on the sides. Behind, it exhibits a shallow groove towards the outer end ; 

 but below the middle the surface rises into a ridge which descends nearly, but not 

 quite, to the border of the vertebral canal. 



6. A portion of the second rib of the right side (PI. XLV. fig. 8) measuring about 4"-5 



