70 ME. A. L. ADAMS ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 



the Eoyal College of Surgeons it covers the entire lower margin. It is probable there- 

 fore that the three belonged to one species, the largest being that of an adult, the two 

 smaller being immature bones ; and this is borne out to some extent by the smoothness 

 of the exterior of the latter as compared with the rugosities and irregularities of fig. 2 '. 



In all apparent differences between the cuneiform of the Asiatic and African Ele- 

 phants, such as the greater breadth of the ulnar and cuneiform surfaces of the African 

 as compared with the narrow aspects of the Asiatic, there is a remarkable contrast 

 between those just described and the following, which display the characters of the 

 African. Moreover, by the much narrower internal border at a, figs. 7, 8, & 9, the 

 lunare face is diminished in height, so that when placed side by side with figs. 2 & 5 

 there is no difficulty whatever in distinguishing the former from the latter. Whether 

 it is a regular point of distinction or not, on examining various cuneiforms of all ages 

 of the Asiatic Elephant, I find that the fifth metacarpal facet near the extremity is not 

 observed, excepting in bones of aged individuals. Unfortunately none of the largest 

 specimens are sufficiently preserved at the apex to show this surface ; however, it is 

 preserved in fig. 8, and even in the very diminutive cuneiform, fig. 7. 



B Series. — 1. The largest specimen (fig. 9) shows the ulnar surface of a right cunei- 

 form. The apex has sustained a recent injuiy, and the lunare facets are abraded ; other- 

 wise the specimen is entire, and affords the following: — extreme length (about) 3 inches, 

 breadth 2-5 inches, ulnar surface (antero-posterior) 2-2 by 2 inches. The pisiform 

 facet is in the form of a right-angled triangle, with the base uppermost ; height 1 inch, 

 breadth 1 inch, unciform surface (antero-posterior) 2-2 by 2 inches ; thickness at the 

 middle of the pisiform facet 1-4 inch, and at middle of the lunare side 1 inch. 



2. An imperfect bone of the same side, showing only a portion of the ulnar surface, 

 is of the same or slightly larger dimensions. The smaller right cuneiform (fig. 8) has 

 its pisiform facet and point considerably abraded, preserving, however, the body entire, 

 with, as just stated, the fifth metacarpal facet on the border of the apex. This speci- 

 men, although probably of the same type as the two preceding, has relatively a rather 

 deeper concavity at a, on the internal ulnar surface ; indeed so contracted is the height 

 of the bone in this situation that there is no room for the lunare facets ; and the margins 

 are sharp instead of even; but with these exceptions it agrees with fig. 9. The 

 following are its admeasurements : — entire length 2-5 inches, breadth 2 ; ulnar sur- 

 faces — antero-posterior diameter 1-6, transverse 1-9 ; unciform aspect — antero-posterior 

 diameter 1-9, transverse 1-8; thickness at middle of pisiform facet 1-1, thickness at 

 middle of lunare side 0-4. 



3. Like the preceding, fig. 7 was also found in Benghisa Gap, so prolific of remains 

 of the smallest form. Here the pisiform facet is abraded ; but the fifth metacarpal 

 impression is very distinct, and the extremity is completely ossified— a feature of im- 



' These cuneiform bones agree in characters with specimens in the Palsontological Collection, British 

 Museum, referable to the Mammoth and Elcphas antlquus. 



