THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 33 



but although its enamel is not so thick as that of B series, it is altogether a much 

 larger tooth, with a diflferent configuration. 



As to the position of No. 43 A & B (fig. 9) in the dental series, had it not been 

 for the posture of the last ridges, the pronounced retroflexion of the ceiitral plates 

 would naturally indicate the pressure of a succeeding molar ; but considering these facts 

 and that all the ridges except the last five are touched by wear, and there are no traces 

 of pressure on the posterior talon, I can see no more feasible conclusion to arrive at than 

 to consider the above to be a last true molar of an elephant larger than any of the 

 owners of the teeth in A or B series, from which it diifers in configuration as well as 

 dimensions and crown-constituents, although the outline of the disk is much alike in all. 



2. Two beautiful and highly suggestive examples of what must be considered last 

 true molars, are represented by the entire specimens Nos. 64 & 59 (PI. VII. figs. 1 & 2 & 2a). 

 The former, an upper tooth, shows fourteen ridges, including the pygmy digitated 

 posterior talon «, in a space of 7 inches. Attached in front, although not shown in the 

 figure, are two plates of the penultimate molar. As the crown is just being invaded, of 

 course its pattern is not developed ; the machserides are therefore well crimped, and the 

 plates and enamel thick. 



The next, No. 59 (figs. 2 & 2a), is a much arcuated lower molar ; the last ridge, although 

 rounded and finger-like, rises like the others from the common base to the same level 

 as the penultimate. There is a slight flattening on its base internally, but no trace of 

 what could be called a pressure-mark. The crown is broad in front, tapering steadily 

 posteriorly. The anterior talon is large and semilunar ; and the anterior fang seems to 

 support it and the succeeding plate only. Here we have fourteen ridges in 6'5 inches. 



The crown- constituents are precisely the same as in the last. The disks show central 

 exj^ansion. with angulations and faint crimj^ing. 



Another jjair of upper molars, Nos. 70 & 58 (PI. VIII. figs. 2 & 3), are larger than 

 No. 64, but only slightly ; and as their posterior ridges were not quite consolidated, 

 they have become somewhat displaced and are encased (fig. 2) in a fragment of the 

 jaw. This tooth holds, in front, the fragment {a) of a penultimate molar already noticed. 

 The figs. 2 & 3 contain each fourteen ridges in 7'3 inches; none of the digitations of 

 the four ridges in wear being obliterated, there is of course excessive looping. Their 

 crowns are rather narrower as compared with PI. VII. fig. 1, just as the lower molar 

 No. 56 (PI. VIII. figs, 8 & 8a) compares with the crown of No. 59 (PI. VII. fig. 2). 



The molar, PI. VIII. fig. 8, is markedly narrow throughout, and held, no doubt, au 

 extra ridge, as there are fourteen in the space of 7'4 inches, and clear indications of the 

 loss of one or more posteriorly. The last three ridges, however, were broken ofl' and 

 reunited ; so that there may be a slight excess thereby given to the length. The re- 

 markable feature in this molar and the two preceding is that their enamel is not so 

 thick as in PI. VII. figs. 1 & 2 ; but the difference is not very material. 



This is also evident in a very much worn upper molar, No. 79, where the crown 

 VOL. IX. — PART I. NovnnLer, 1874. v 



