E. (LOXODON) PEISCUS. 97 



figs. 1 and 2) ; and if it be compared with fig. 4 & of 

 PI. II. of the same work, 1 representing a vertical section of 

 a penultimate lower molar of the existing African Elepliant, 

 it will be seen that there is the closest general resem- 

 blance between the two, in all that relates to the relative 

 proportions of the alternate layers of ivory, enamel, and 

 cement, and in the cuneiform character of the ridges. If 

 the comparison be extended to the sections of the teeth of 

 the Mammoth and of the existing Indian Elephant, figs. 1 

 and 2 a, PL I., of the same series, the difference from them 

 is equally apparent. The specimen consists of the part of 

 the tooth extending from the sinus between the first and 

 second fangs to the last ridge. The anterior portion sup- 

 ported by the first fang, and which in the African Elephant 

 consists of the front talon and the two foremost ridges, is 

 wanting. The fragment exhibits the discs of eight worn ridges 

 finely preserved. The three anterior discs are worn low ; 

 the next four are successively less and less abraded ; the last 

 ridge shows only the tips of two digitations, with a consider- 

 able interval between them. There is no distinct hind talon. 

 The discs of wear present an unmistakable resemblance to 

 those of the existing African Elephant, in breadth, lozenge- 

 shaped outline, and mesial expansion ; but when examined 

 in detail, there are obvious points of distinction. In the 

 living species the lozenges are more strictly rhomb-shaped; 

 the salient edge of enamel is distinctly crimped ; the lateral 

 terminations of the rhombs are flattened ; and the mesial 

 angles of the contiguous discs are either more approximated 

 or overlap each other laterally. In E. (Loxodon) priscus, the 

 discs are rounded at their lateral terminations, and broader. 

 Although the mesial expansion is quite as great as in the 

 African Elephant, it is less sudden, and in the general outline 

 there is a tendency to a reniform or obsolete crescendo shape, 

 the anterior enamel boundary of each disc being somewhat 

 concave, and the posterior convex. The horns of the crescents 

 are bent abruptly forwards. This is best seen in the fourth, 

 fifth, and sixth discs ; the first three, being more worn, show 

 this peculiarity less distinctively. Another obvious character 

 is that the enamel-plates are thicker, and present a less 

 degree of crimping than in the African Elephant. 



When viewed laterally, the resemblance to the existing 

 species is as marked as hi the crown aspect. The ridges are 

 alike broad in both, and the fangs are similarly disposed, 

 those which support the five posterior ridges being confluent 

 into a common shell. (Compare figs. 7 a and 5 a of PI. XIV., 



1 A section of the penultimato upper molar is shown in PL iv. fig. 3 of vol. i. 

 -[Ed.] 



VOL. II. H 



