THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHAIS'TS. 



67 



the breadth of the radial facet is 1 inch. The distal articular surface in this specimen 

 differs from any of the recent and the next specimen in the following particulars : — The 

 conjoined surfaces for the trapezoid, trapezium, and magnum form a single rounded 

 facet, which is 2-1 inches in the antero-posterior diameter to 1 mch m length. 



Unfortunately the antero-posterior measurement is somewhat vitiated m consequence 

 of the posterior angle being broken off; but I apprehend it was nearly, if not quite, 2*1 

 inches ; and there being no line of demarcation between the facets, it is impossible to 

 define each. The pronounced eminence on the Ixrnare or external aspect, and its large 

 articulating surface, being absent, we might surmise that this scaphoid, owing to the 

 diminished size of the magnal facet, was more erect than obtains in both recent 

 species and in the Mammoth. T find, however, on comparing this surface in old and 

 young bones of the Asiatic that the relative differences between the length and breadth 

 are reversed, so that, as a character, the above is not to be relied on. The upper 

 lunare facet is too much abraded for description ; the lower lunare, however, is well 

 defined anteriorly, forming by its sharp and prominent angle an articular surface 1'8 by 

 0-6 inch. The maximum thickness of fig. 10 is 1 inch. 



Now, as regards its connexion with recent species, in outline it is like the African 

 and Mammoth's ; but in the form and direction of the radial surface it seems more like 

 that of the Asiatic and Mammoth ; whilst it differs from the three in the contour and 

 extent of the distal facets. 



2. An almost perfect right scaphoid from Benghisa Gap is shown in woodcut fig. 4, 



Fig. 4. 



Scaphoid. Nat. size. 



which represents a smaller Elephant, but stiU an adult. It differs from fig. 10 in the 

 following characters :— The radial surface (r) has the horizontal aspect of the; African ; 



e2 



