ME. A. L. ADAMS ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 



1. Milk-incisors. 



No specimen of the milk-tusk was discovered by me similar to the very perfect and 

 characteristic tooth (PI. I. fig. 1) from the Zebbug collection, which I have reproduced 

 from Dr. Falconer's drawing' to show the contrast between it and a much smaller 

 specimen (fig. 2). The figure 1 was supposed by Dr. Falconer to represent the milk- 

 incisor of Tlleplms melitensis. It is of the same dimensions as the tooth in two uterine 

 skulls of African Elephants, 70 8 ji' and 708 h in the British Museum. But the pulp- 

 cavity in the two last and in fig. 2 extends almost to the crown ; whereas it is obliterated 

 in fig. 1, excepting a small foramen at the proximal extremity for nutrient vessels. As 

 regards relative dimensions, the tooth is rather smaller than that of the recent species, 

 and therefore, as surmised by Mr. Busk^, may have belonged to the largest form, which 

 ordinarily seems to have been under the average size of the African and Asiatic 

 Elephants. The crown has an investing shell of enamel on the top, which thus shows, 

 as far as yet known, a peculiarity confined to the forms of the Maltese Elephants and 

 the African. 



The almost entire incisor (PI. I. fig. 2) from Mnaidra Gap represents what I 

 opine is the milk-tusk of a very small form of Elephant. The outline is cylindrical, 

 with a gentle curve; it is rather compressed towards the proximal, and somewhat 

 truncated at the distal extremity, with a defined dark stain on the enamel 0-5 inch 

 from the tip, possibly the alveolar impression. The outline of the hollow pulp-cavity 

 is nearly a perfect oval, with the larger end upwards. Like the last it is not only 

 tipped, but entirely enveloped in a remarkably fine shell of glistening enamel, which, 

 although partially rubbed off on the part that extended beyond the gum, is well 

 seen elsewhere, as also the minute surface-channellings running lengthways. The 

 dilated blunt point seen in fig. 1 is here wanting; and, but for attrition of the enamel, 

 it would be difficult to believe that it ever resembled the other in form. But I find 

 that the shape of the milk-incisor varies considerably, as does the permanent tusk, in 

 the Asiatic Elephant, being often misshapen and stunted, especially in females. It is 

 difiRcult, therefore, to surmise to what form of the Maltese Elephants the above 

 belonged. From its small dimensions I should be inclined to place it with the smallest- 

 sized teeth to be described in the sequel. 



2. Permanent Incisors. 

 Tusks, sometimes entire, but generally in fragments, accompanied bones and molars, 

 more especially wherever there were indications of entire skulls having been conveyed 

 into the gaps and fissures. Indeed, from the quantities of ivory found wherever molars 

 were plentiful, and the numbers of short and straight specimens, it may be surmised 

 that the tusk was always fully developed in adults, and existed also in both sexes. It 



' Palseontological Memoirs, vol. ii. pi. 11. fig. 3, a & 6 ; Trans. Zool. See. vol. vi. pi. 53. fig. 1, a & 6. 

 = Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vi. p. 284 (foot-note). 



