THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 89 



naviculare surface is semilunar, with a narrow facet for the second cuneiform on 

 its external margin; the former is 1-1 by 0-6 inch, and the latter 0-8 by 0-3. The 

 distal facet is nearly circular, its height to breadth being 1 to 0-8 inch. The scar 

 usually present on the external surface near the distal end for the second metatarsal 

 facet is not seen in the above specimen, which I observe is also the case in certain 

 instances in the Asiatic. The dimensions of the cuneiform, with the other tarsal bones 

 just described, and compared with those of recent species, would indicate an Elephant 

 of about the height of the Elephas melitensis of Falconer. 



2. The left cuneiform, PI. XIX. fig. 1 (from Gandia Fissure, so prolific of the 

 remains of the largest form), establishes the presence of a fair-sized Elephant, and is in 

 keeping with the largest foot-bones in my collection. The distribution and outline of 

 its articular surfaces are very much like the preceding ; the scar for the second meta- 

 tarsal is large, and situated lower down than usually observed. A portion of the upper 

 and anterior margin has been broken off recently ; otherwise the specimen is entire, witli 

 the exception of a fracture through the anterior border. The dimensions of the speci- 

 men are as follows — entire length (about) 2 inches, greatest breadth 1-8, naviculare 

 facet (about) 1-5 by 0-7, distal 1-4 by 1. 



Summary. — The tarsus furnishes the following data : — 



The astragalus indicates an Elephant nearly 7 feet in height, with two individuals 

 not so high, but evidently of the same type or form. Another shows peculiarities 

 distinct from the foregoing, and equal in size to the smallest of the large form ; whilst 

 a pygmy form is seemingly established by the little astragalus, PI. XVI. fig. 3. The 

 heel-bones display discrepancies and show two forms — one a small individual, perhaps, 

 of the largest, and another (fig. 5) a full-grown individual of an intermediate form. 

 The naviculare establishes a full-grown Elephant of the large form ; and, provided the 

 smaller navicularia, PI. XVII. figs. 7 & 8, belong to the adult condition, we have the 

 intermediate and pygmy forms also represented. In the cuboid the two larger forms 

 are well displayed ; and the internal cuneiforms do so likewise, whilst the middle and 

 external cuneiforms appear to belong entirely to the large form. 



XIII. Metacaepal, Metatabsal, Phalangeal, ajstd SESAiioiD Bones. 



I have carefully compared the metacarpal, metatarsal, and phalangeal bones of many 

 examples of the Asiatic Elephant, including the continental and insular varieties, and 

 find that there is very little difference in the outline even between young and old. 

 Unfortunately there is only one example of the African Elephant's skeleton in London, 

 and, as far as I know, in Great Britain ; so that the same cannot be asserted in its case ; 

 however, in comparison with the former, and taking the relative ages of the two species, I 

 find there are considerable differences between the bones of the feet of, for example, 708 H 

 (African), B.M., and the Sumatran, B.M., or the very old bones of the articulated feet 

 of the Indian (no. 2543, E. C. S.). I propose, therefore, to point out these differences, 



VOL. IX. — PART I. November, 1874. n 



