THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 59 



.astragalus (PI. XVI. fig. 1) attached to the distal extremity by calcareous matter ; so 

 that by almost actual measurement I computed the aggregate length of these two limb- 

 bones to have been about 41 inches — that is, supposing them to belong to the same 

 individual. Reverting to PI. XIV. fig. 1, although the epiphysial junction is traceable 

 on the head and trochanter major, still the bone, on comparisom with the same in recent 

 species, must be considered to have belonged to a full-grown individual ; indeed the 

 epiphyses are far more consolidated than obtains in the African specimen (708 ^, B.M.) 

 and the Chuny. 



Besides what the representation affords, the following measurements refer to fig. 1 : — 

 circumference of the head 12 inches, girth of neck 9'5, girth at a 12, at h 7'7, and at 

 c 8'5 inches; transverse diameter of articulating surface of head, by tape 6"7, and by 

 compass 4 inches. 



Specimen d, the right lower extremity (PI. XIV. figs. 2 & 2a) enables us to determine 

 the probable length of the femur fig. 1. The one in question was entire, but was broken 

 across within eight inches of the distal extremity during removal. The antero-posterior 

 length of the outer condyle (by tape) is 7'8 inches, and of the inner 8'6, the girth at 

 the epiphysial junction a being 14'5, and at h 8'8. These three femurs are identical 

 as regards characters, although they difier considerably in dimensions ; fig. 1, in all its 

 measurements, equals the same parts of 707A, B.M., with the last milk-tooth in wear and 

 all the epiphyses of the long bones disunited. Thus, from fig. 1 upwards to the largest, 

 there are gradations representing three feet difference in the height of individuals ; and 

 yet, after all, other points being equal, that is no remarkable disparity as compared with 

 individual differences in recent species. But although agreeing in all these respects with 

 immatui'e bones of the latter, it is highly probable, as will be shown presently, that the 

 Maltese fossil Elephants showed relatively broader bones than in either of the living 

 Elephants and the Mammoth. 



B Series. — The right femur (Plate XIV. figs. 3 & 3a) was discovered in Benghisa Gap. 

 The shaft had been greatly crushed and flattened by compression between blocks of 

 stones when deposited in the gully; but the condyles are not much injured, and, with 

 the exception of the head and neck, its length is entire. Mr. Busk computes the femur 

 of his Elephas melitensis to have varied between 18 and 20 inches ; I have just surmised 

 that the thigh-bone of the largest form attained a length of 33 inches. Making 

 allowances for the loss of the proximal end, we may believe that the one in question, 

 which is 20-5 inches as it now stands, was 22 or 23 when entire. Now these difi'erences 

 in dimensions in old bones make the extremes differ very much in size, more especially 

 the largest and smallest, the latter of which, according to Busk's computation, showed 

 a femur of only 1 foot or 13 inches in length'. As regards fig. 3, there can be no 

 question whatever that it belonged to an aged individtial, seeing that the condyloid 



' Trans. Zool. Soc. vi. p. 2C5, and pi. 50. fig. 30. As far, however, as I can make out, the determination of the 

 femur of this very diminutive form rests entirely on specimens by no means entire, and without their epiphyses. 



I 2 



