THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHAKTS. 77 



articular aspect is 1 by 1. The length of the same bone in the two skeletons just 

 referred to is 2-5 inches in the Oxford-University, and 3 inches in the King's-College 

 specimens ; but young bones of the age of the latter are so shrivelled at their extre- 

 mities that it becomes difficult to obtain the original dimensions. At all events, neither 

 of the above is by any means so small as those three bones, and in particular fig. 5, 

 which is only 1'8 inch in length. 



I believe the perfect little sesamoid, fig. 7, which was found under fig. 5, belonged 

 to it ; regarded as elephantine and a mature bone, it is unique. 



Fifth Metacarpal. — The specimen, fig. 6, may be said to represent an almost perfect 

 miniature of the bones shown in PI. XIX., more especially fig. 12. Portion of the 

 distal facet has decayed away; but otherwise this very small left fifth metacarpal is 

 entu-e. The proximal facets are shown at a. The phalangeal and the sesamoid facet 

 is 0"7 by 0'5 inch in breadth. The outer surface is rough like an old bone. The fifth 

 metacarpal in the Oxford specimen is 2 inches, and King's-College Museum 1'7 inch 

 in length, whereas the above is only 1 inch in length. 



Now, with reference to these small foot-bones, all of which seem to bear so pointedly 

 towards the establishing of a dwarf form of Elephant, it comes to be a question how 

 far they admit of a connexion with the fragments of skull, teeth, tusks, and long bones 

 with which they were associated ; and this, in comparison with recent species, is easily 

 answered. It is clear that neither the humerus (fig. 9), ulna (fig. 10), tibia (fig. 13), 

 nor any of the other exuviae surrounding them, excepting perhaps the portion of the 

 skull (PI. I. fig. 18), could have pertained to the owner of the above fore foot. More- 

 over, seeing that the two examples of recent calf Elephants adduced stand respectively 

 about 38 to 40 inches in height, and that Mr. Busk computes his Elejohas falconeri at 

 between 30 and 36 inches, we may fairly suppose the above ranged between the two last 

 figui'es, which would, in proportion to the recent specimens, give the same measure- 

 ments. In no Elephant's bones I have examined, where the milk-molars are in use in 

 the jaws, are the epiphyses united; indeed, as far as the specimens (mostly, however, 

 domesticated individuals) in museums of Great Britain extend, the condition of the 

 metacarpal bones just described is not attained until the second true molar is fairly 

 invaded ; and even then the epijihyses of the larger members of the extremities are not 

 consolidated. How far the abnormal habits and food, as compared with the feral state, 

 have to do with the period of union is not quite apparent ; moreover, in the primordial 

 state of these pachydermata union may have taken place earlier in life than at present. 

 Suffice it, however, to say that, allowing the fragment of upper molar in the jaw 

 PI. I. fig. 18 to belong to the last of the milk-series, and that the first true molar 

 was in full wear then, we might suppose that the members of the left fore foot just 

 described belonged to the same individual. 



General Summary. — It will be apparent from the foregoing that the bones of tlie 

 carpus admit of the following : — 



