THE MALTESE POSSLt ELEPHANTS. 101 



As to the characters of the above, its even sides and rounded and slender shaft seem 

 to place it intermediate between what may be the characters of the two recent animals ; 

 it has, however, no decided affinities to any of the fossils described. A comparison 

 between this and a fourth metatarsal of Elephas falconeri described by Busk' shows 

 almost exactly the same proportions ; indeed, for any differences worth noticing, they 

 may have belonged to the same individual. 



The phalanges referable to the fourth fore- and hind-foot toes, more especially the 

 proximal phalanx (like that of the others), are generally easily recognized ; but, with 

 the vei-y extensive materials and the wide disparities we have seen to exist between the 

 specimens of the preceding toes, I find it difficult to place the small specimens in their 

 proper places. The following classification must therefore be subject to criticism. 



I have included within brackets the figures 8 and 9 in PI. XX., for the reason that 

 they are represented in precisely the same state in which they were found ; I believe 

 they represent the entire series of phalanges of the third and fourth fore foot of the 

 same individual. 



A Series. — As regards the dimensions of the opposing surfaces of the fourth metacarpal, 

 phalanx a of fig. 9 fits to that of woodcut no. 1, fig. 8 ; so that with the third metacarpal 

 PI. XIX. fig. 10, which also fits to PI. XX. fig. 8, we should have the entire third and 

 fourth digits of the fore foot. Eeverting to fig. 9 and a its first phalanx, in addition to the 

 data furnished by the figure, its proximal articulation is 1-9 inch by 1-3 in height, and 

 the distal 1*6 by 1. There are several other specimens in the collection slightly 

 larger and very little smaller ; but all agree in outline, and are referable to the 

 largest form. 



B Series.— A smaller form of first phalanx than the preceding is shown in PI. XX. fig. 

 13. It has the general features of a fourth metacarpal phalanx, and is of the following 

 dimensions : — length 17 inch, breadth midshaft 1-2 ; the posterior surface is oval and 

 1'7 by I'l. The facet for the second phalanx is hollowed out in some degree, wich the 

 usual projection of its internal angle ; it is -8 by 1"3 inch. The specimen is as long as 

 the same bone in the young Elephant 707 A in the British Museum, which stood about 

 5 feet in height. 



C Series. — PI. XX. fig. 15 represents the first and second phalanges of a fourth digit, 

 possibly of the fore foot, of a still smaller elephant. The facets of the former are — 

 anterior -7 inch by 1, posterior 1-3 by 1. It must, however, be left an open question 

 whether or not B and C series belong to the fore or hind foot, which of com'se differ 

 much in relative dimensions, and often very little in characters. 



Fifth Metacarpal, Fifth Metatarsal, and their Phalanges. 

 The internal and external aspects of the fifth metacarpal are more compressed in the 

 Asiatic than seemingly obtains in the African Elephant ; hence it is narrower. Like 



' Trans. Zool. Soc. vi. p. 271, pi. 51. figs. 40, 40 a, and 40 b. 



