﻿ELEPHAS ANTIQUUS— TRUE MOLARS. 



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cement, with the usual uncrimped machserides, and ridge formula rarely above x 10 x, are 

 good exponents of the second true molar of this form of Elephant, as usually noticed in the 

 specimens from the Preglacial deposits of the Norfolk Coast and in Italian Collections. 1 



The ridge formula of the second true molar in E. antiquum may be stated to vary in 

 upper teeth, between a? 12 w and x 13 x in a space of from 8 to 10" 5 inches, whilst the 

 same number of ridges in the lower jaw are included within from 8 to 10" 8 inches, 

 with rare instances of as many as sixteen and seventeen ridges. Generally I would 

 concede twelve to thirteen plates, besides talons, to this member of the series, the former 

 probably being the most common number. 



Third or Last True Molar. 



The last of the dental series is obviously the best for the determination of specific 

 characters. This tooth, from the absence of pressure posteriorly, preserves its integrity 

 better, and the contour of the crown is generally characteristic. 



The last molar of ElepJias antiquus presents the same variability in the proportion of its 

 crown constituents pointed out in the preceding molars ; and representing, as it does, the 

 aged condition of the animal, whatever tendencies in these respects are observable in the 

 milk and other true molars, become finally confirmed in the ultimate. 



From a large experience in the examination of the teeth referable to this form of 

 Elephant, I find that although the following varieties of crown admit of being joined 

 together by intermediate varieties, still, taking the pointed instances of each, it appears to 

 me that they may be arranged as follows : 



A. — A massive broad crown, with the ridges closely approximated. 



B. — A long, narrow, and often much arcuated crown, generally typical of the British 

 specimens. 



C. — A thick-plated tooth with the dental elements in excess, and with generally a 

 pronounced mesial expansion of the disk. This is the variety ascribed by Dr. Falconer, in 

 the first instance, to the Elephas priscus of Goldfuss, and subsequently to E. antiquus. 2 



A well-characterised instance of any one of these types shows a crown dissimilar in 

 many respects from the others ; hence the importance of an examination of all available 

 materials ascribed in any way to the form of elephant under consideration. 



The members of A and C varieties are often colossal teeth as compared with the long, 

 narrow crown of B variety. Moreover, in instances where bones have been found in 

 conjunction with them, the same is observable, showing either that the larger molars 

 belonged to either unusually large individual Elephants, or were peculiarities in the denti- 



1 ' Pal. Mem.,' vol. ii, p. 117, and 4 F. A. S.,' pi. xivb, fig. 7, and British Museum, also Norwich 

 Museum. 



2 ' Jour. Geological Soc. London.' vol. xxi, p. 269, and 'Natural History Review,' 1863. 



