THE MALTESE FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 95 



the following dimensions — length 4*6 inches, breadth midshaft 1-8 inch, magnal facet 

 1*6 inch in breadth, second-metacarpal facet 0-5 inch in breadth, fourth-metacarpal 

 facet 1-2 by 0-7 inch, phalangeal facet 1"8 by 1-9 inch. The above and another speci- 

 men differ from the third in having the sides of the shaft flat, whereas it is rounded in 

 the latter. The upper and lower surfaces are flat, as in the African, to which they are 

 further connected in having narrow shafts, broad unciform-facets, and less concave 

 magnal surfaces, as compared with the Elephant of Asia. 



The relative dimensions of these specimens eqxial the same in an Asiatic Elephant 

 about 6'5 feet in height. 



B Series. — Plate XIX. figs. 4 & 3 represent the inner aspects of third and fourth 

 metacarpals of the right foot of doubtless the same individual, from Benghisa Gap. 

 With reference to flg. 4, it not only differs considerably in size, but also apparently in 

 the following characters, from the members of A series. It is less slender, the shaft 

 is quadrangular, the inner side being broad and the lower flat inclining outwards. Its 

 dimensions are: — length 34 inches; breadth, middle of shaft 1-6 ; height of shaft at 

 middle internally 0'7 inch, ditto externally 1'2 inch; second-metacarpal facet 1'4 by 

 0-5 inch, magnal ditto 1-7 by 1'2 inch, unciform ditto 1-7 by 0'5 inch, fourth-meta- 

 carpal ditto 1*6 by 0'6, height of proximal extremity 1*8 inch, distal articulation 1-7 

 by 1'5 inch. 



The above is considerably shorter than the same bone of 707/*, British Museum, and 

 might therefore indicate an Elephant not over 4-5 feet in height. But relatively the 

 facets and breadth of the shaft are not so much different, thus confirming previous data 

 in regard to the long bones already noticed. 



C Series. — A specimen, unfortunately not entire, but clearly referable to the third 

 toe, is shown in PI. V. fig. 3. Its facets have been injured recently, so that any data to 

 be derived from them are lost. It is hollow on the dorsal aspect, like fore-foot bones 

 generally. The second metatarsal, PI. XX. fig. 5, would relatively agree with the above, 

 in which case it might represent the third metatarsal of the smaller form, and become 

 the equivalent hind-foot bone to the type which C series represents. PI. V. fig. 3, 

 moreover, as will be noted presently, agrees with PI. XX. fig. 6, which I assign to the 

 fourth toe, hind foot; so that the three might fairly represent the third metacarpal 

 and second and fourth metatarsals of an Elephant nearly 5 feet in height. 



D Series. — The members of this series are remarkable for their diminutive size, 

 whether looked on as metacarpal or metatarsal bones. Their claims to be considered 

 old bones are well established by the complete anchyloses of their epiphyses. The two 

 shown in PI. XIX. figs. 6 & 7, and the very small but well-ossified patella PI. XV. 

 fig. 6, were got close together in Benghisa Gap. 



From the usual characters of the toe in question, fig. 7 seems to me to represent tlie 

 third metacarpal or metatarsal, whilst the broader shaft and facets place fig. 6 with the 

 bones referable to the fourth toe. With reference to fig. 7, although considerably 



