E. (LOXODON) MER1DIONAL1S. 129 



and closely packed together, with thin unplaited enamel ; and 

 the incisive alveoli are parallel, approximated and inflected ; 

 the tusks are spirally recurved. It will be seen in the sequel 

 that, so far from being nearly allied forms, there are several 

 species interposed between them. 



It is no part of the design of this essay to describe the 

 osteography of the species more than may be subservient to 

 their ready discrimination when found fossil. I shall there- 

 fore reserve any remarks upon the peculiarities of the bones 

 of the trunk and extremities in the Italian form for the illus- 

 tration of British specimens. Bones of colossal dimensions 

 abound in the Museum at Florence ; and Cuvier inferred from 

 remains in the Paris Museum that the fossil Elephant of 

 Monte Serbaro, here referred to E. meridionalis, attained a 

 height of at least fifteen feet. 



B. British Specimens. — The copious details already given 

 regarding the dentition of this species relieve me from the 

 necessity of minutely describing a great variety of the 

 British specimens. Having the certainty, from such cumu- 

 lative evidence abroad, of the distinctness of the species, 

 it will suffice to show where the same form occurs in Eng- 

 land, in what strata, under what circumstances, with what 

 associates, and where it is wanting. I shall refer only to 

 such characteristic instances as place the specific identity 

 of the fossils beyond question, and as are accessible for 

 comparison. 



The finest British collection of the remains of this species 

 with which I am acquainted has been gradually accumulated 

 during the last thirty years by the Rev. J. Gunn, of Irstead, 

 from sections along the Norfolk coast. The vast abundance 

 in which Elephants' teeth occur upon the ' Oyster-bed ' of 

 Happisburgh and Mundesley has been long known. 1 Mr. 

 Gunn, favourably situated to benefit by such opportunities, 

 has taken advantage of his position to the full measure. The 

 interest and value of his collection are only equalled by the 

 liberality with which he makes it available for the ends of 

 science. I need only say in illustration that he has placed 

 all the specimens in his possession at my disposal, for this 

 essay, even to be sawn up for sections, if necessary, or for any 

 other use to which they could be turned. Besides a great 

 number of detached molars, Mr. Gunn possesses huge bones 

 of the extremities, an enormous pelvis, and lower jaws, 



1 Periodic storms, during winter, scour 

 the beach and undermine the cliffs, 

 causing slips. When the detritus is 

 ■washed away, Mammalian remains are 

 left in abundance upon the shore. The 

 scouring action of the storm-waves, at 

 VOL. II. K 



times, tears up masses of the ' sub- 

 marine forest' and of the 'Elephant- 

 bed,' in the latter of which the Ele- 

 phantine remains occur best preserved 

 and in the greatest abundance. 



