THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 29 



little more ; and this is precisely the estimate to be aimed at by computing the loss in 

 the same way in No. 28. 



In upper last true molars of the African, Asiatic, Mammoth, and E. antiquus, and, 

 indeed, in all representatives of the genus, there is a decided graduation of the ridges 

 towards the last, or posterior talon, which is commonly dwarfed in size. Moreover the 

 usual flattening just below the latter, invariably present in other members of the series 

 when well worn, is as a matter of course not observed in the 3rd true molar. Now as 

 regards these distinctions I must state that, whilst the Zebbug molar and No. 28 display 

 a pronounced similitude to the pyramidal-sided outline of the last of the series, there is 

 a flattening at the base of the posterior talon in both, which, with all due deference to 

 ■ Dr. Falconers's opinion to the contrary as regards the former, I submit is not unlike a 

 pressure-hollow made by the septum of an advancing tooth. Again the difference in 

 length and breadth between the last plate and hind talon in both gives an abruptness 

 posteriorly which, as far as I have seen of recent and fossil last upper true molars, seems 

 to me exceptional' ; but at the same time I am willing to admit considerable variations 

 on this head. 



In respect of general characters the foregoing, although smaller, agree in a remark- 

 able manner with the following, and more especially in the pattern of the worn disks, 

 which, I repeat, are well shown in the Zebbug specimen figured and described in the 

 ' Paleeontological Memoirs'^. The crown-constituents are pretty evenly distributed; 

 the plates are not thick ; and the enamel, dentine, and cement are not in excess. The 

 disk widens towards the middle, with abrupt angulations and faint crimping on the 

 cement-sides of the machaerides. 



I feel therefore much disposed to associate these two specimens with the penultimate 

 lower molars, PI. V. fig. 1, and reckon that the Zebbug molar has lost a plate and a 

 talon, and No. 'AS the latter only ; so that their original lengths would have been about 

 4"8 inches. 



2. The upper jaw of my collection, No. 86 (PI. IV. fig. 1), containing two molars 

 in situ, presents several important characters. It will be observed that all the ridges 

 are invaded, and yet the teeth occupy a very large expanse of the jaws. The last ridge 

 on the right side is preserved, and behind it a considerable fragment of the back 

 portion of the alveolus ; there is no abrasion of even the cement of the posterior talon a ; 

 nor is there the pressure-slope usually present when a tooth comes to be so far attrited. 



Irrespective of the masses of dentine in front, and the single machseris, b b", the 



' 3Ir. Davies has inspected the Zebbug specimen, and agrees with me in this opinion. As regards the 

 anterior fang, which is not in the specimen, it must be stated that it is very rarely found in upper molars 

 unless when far advanced in wear. 



^ Vol. ii. p. 292 and pi. xi., and figs. 1 and 1 a, Zool. Trans. Tol. vi. p. 296. I have ascertained all data in 

 connexion with this tooth from repeated careful examinations of the specimen, the profile and crown-view of 

 which is well seen in Pateont. Mem. ii. pi. xi. fig. 1 a. 



