296 MR. BUSK ON THE REMAINS OF 



the vertical plane of the posterior fang. There is no distinct disk of pressure upon the 

 crown portion of the talon ; but there is an obscure depression at the basal part, near the 

 fang, which may be of this nature*. The following are the dimensions : — 



in. 



Extreme length of crown . . 2'9 



Width in front 1-35 (2nd plate) 



Width in the middle 1-3 



Width behind ll 



Length of surface occupied by the eight anterior disks in wear 2'2 

 Extreme height of crown at unworn portion, 9th ridge . . . 2"8 



" From the above dimensions, the contraction of the crown posteriorly and the consi- 

 derable height of the ridges relatively to its length are well shown. 



" Had this specimen been discovered isolated, little or no hesitation would have been 

 entertained by the palaeontologist in referring it to the age of a milk-molar of some 

 species of Elephant. But when regarded as part of a series in connexion with the un- 

 doubted milk-molars figs. 2-6 inclusive, and more especially with fig. 8, the whole of 

 which are of such unusually small proportions, and when further compared with the 

 adult molars of the lower jaw (figs. 11, 12, and 13) and an upper molar belonging to 

 the Public Library at Malta, it is manifest that it maintains its place consistently as a 

 true molar of the same series. I am at present unable to decide with confidence 

 whether it had best be regarded as an antepenultimate or penultimate f. 



" Of the antepenultimate upper true molar (m. 1) no perfect specimen is to be foimd in 

 the collection. One fragment, inferred to be a part of this tooth from its size, form, and 

 proportions, comprises the two anterior ridges, together with the large fang that supports 

 them. The corresponding molar of the lower jaw is equally wanting as an entii'e speci- 

 men ; but there are fragments refcrrible to it also." 



With respect to the Maltese tooth in question Dr. Falconer remarks : — 



" One of the most characteristic of the specimens is an upper molar of the left side 

 bearing the following label : 



" ' Dente che si conserva ncUa pubblica Biblioteca di Malta e trovato in Novembre 

 1859 in Malta.' 



" The tooth is a well-worn upper molar of the left side, perfect so far as the crown goes, 

 with the exception of the front portion supported upon the large anterior fang, which 

 portion had been worn away by continued grinding action. This is distinctly proved by 

 the cii-cumstance that the gi-indiug-plane of the crown intersects the most anterior of the 

 extant fangs. The rest of the fangs from this point backwards to the posterior talon are 



* There can, I think, be no doubt that the deep hollow below the hind talon is due to the pressure of the 

 succeeding capsule. 



t There can be little doubt as to the true position of this tooth as m. 1. In form and general character it is 

 the exact counterpart, except in size, of an m. 1 of E. antiquus — identified as such by Dr. Falconer. 



