106 MR. A. L. ADAMS ON THE OSTEOLOGY OF 



second toe is 1 inch in the fore and 0'8 in length in the hind foot ; whereas the first of 

 the fifth is -7 in the fore and -6 in length in the hind foot ; whilst fig. 14 is -7, with a 

 breadth at midshaft of -8. 



The proximal facet in fig. 14 is oval, its broadest end being directed outwards, where 

 the concavity is pronounced. There is space for an ungual phalanx, the distal arti- 

 culating surface being '4 inch by -7 in breadth. The following phalanges seem 

 referable to the fifth toe hind foot : — 



A Ty]^e. — There are several specimens of the form represented in PI. XIX. figs. 13 & 

 15, differing a good deal in dimensions. All agree, however, in general characters, and 

 are clearly referable to the external digit. Their proximal facets are slightly concave 

 in the largest specimen and almost flat in the two smaller; it is circular in all, and 

 there is a fossa or pit on the lower aspect of the distal facet, seen at a (fig. 13). The 

 outer side is thick and protuberant. The specimens differ considerably in size, the 

 largest being nearly half as large again as fig. 13, but precisely of the same type. The 

 latter fits nearly to the articulating surface of PI. XX. fig. 7. I think, therefore, as 

 far as relative dimensions extend, that PI. XIX. fig. 15 might fairly represent the first 

 phalanx of the above metatarsal ; at all events the claims of A type to this position in 

 the fore or hind foot seem to me conclusive from the distinctive slope and external 

 flattening so characteristic of the phalanges of the outer toe. 



B Type. — The most pygmy of all the outer-toe phalanges is shown in PI. XX. fig. 11, 

 which was found along with the diminutive metatarsals (PI. XIX. figs. 6 & 7), and, in 

 proportion to these, might fairly represent the first phalanx of their fifth metatarsal. 

 The same characters are observed in it as in the members of A type, only that, being 

 so diminutive, I have considered it best to separate it from them. 



Summary. — Comparing these phalanges with the recent species, it is at once apparent 

 that they are like neither ; nor, as far as the fore foot is concerned, have they any 

 resemblance to the Mammoth, being so very broad to the length, a character very 

 general with all the Maltese proboscidean bones, whether large or small. 



Sesamoid Bones. 



It would appear, in aged individuals, that the sesamoid bones, especially on the 

 fourth and fifth manual digits, instead of being in pairs become united. This, however, 

 is not seemingly an invariable rule, and no instance occurs of this condition in my large 

 collection of these bones. As far as it is possible to distinguish the sesamoid bones in 

 the fore and hind feet, and in the different forms of Maltese elephants, I find among 

 the examples (30) considerable differences in size, from which it may be supposed that 

 they belong to the foot-bones just described, with which they were more or less associated. 



As compared with sesamoids of recent species, all represent adult animals, being com- 



F.lephant have been furnished to me by Mr. Robinson, the Articulator of the Museum, to whom I am iilso under 

 obligations for the care and trouble he bestowed in' obtaining them for me. 



