SIR E. OWEN" ON EEMAINS OP ELEPHAS PEI:MIGEN1TJS. 33 



The worn, flat, and smooth surface of the first molar in annexed 

 sketch (Pig. 1, d^ shows the foremost plate almost worn away ; 

 the second plate retains a feeble indication of two of its mammilloid 

 prominences ; the third and fourth plates have, each, indications of 

 four such prominences ; hut their grinding-surface has been worn 

 down to a hind " talon,"' which liad just come into use. The original 

 unworn or little-worn surface of this molar would have nearly the size 

 of the tooth from Pouvent, and indicates that to have come from 

 the upper jaw. The roots of the more worn molar in the Cresswell 

 specimen are fully developed : the anterior one (Fig. 2, ci) extends 

 in a forward curve, with its closed end 13 miilim. in advance of the 

 part of the crown it supports. The crown has been worn down to a 

 subtriangular figure with the apex forward; the breadth of the 

 grinding-surface near the base is 15 miilim. The greatest breadth of 

 the second molar {d^ where the hinder root begins is 1^ inch 

 ( = 32 miilim.). Of this tooth, the fractured surface of the right 

 maxillary exposes three roots, the first and second diminishing to 

 their almost closed ends ; the common, widely open pulp-cavity of 

 the hinder root is also exposed ; its subsequent division into an outer 

 and inner fang is indicated. 



The specific distinction from Elephas indicus is shown, in the 

 present portion of Elephas primigenius, by the greater relative 

 breadth of the second molar, especially towards the base of the 

 crown. 



The thickness of the constituent enamel-clad plates is but little 

 less in proportion to the mass of the crown than in the larger variety 

 (" Dauntelah " of Corse) of Elephas indicus. But these plates show 

 their specific proportions in a more marked degree as the subsequent 

 progressively larger molars are acquired. 



The portion of the bony palate owes its transverse concavity 

 chiefly to the development of the inner wall of the molar sockets. 

 The broken surface above that plate gives indications of pneumatic 

 cavities. 



In contemplating this rare relic I have not been able to suppress 

 sympathy with the unhappy juvenile British elephant, which, long 

 ages ago, fell a prey to some dire contemporary spelaean carnivore, 

 by whose jaws the immature skull has been reduced to fragments. 



DlSCTJSSIOl^. 



Mr. Ltdeekee said that there was some ambiguity about the 

 terms first and second milk-molars ; they are better termed ante- 

 penultimate and penultimate. There may be another anterior 

 milk-tooth abnormally developed, and one specimen of the African 

 Elephant in the British Museum apparently c(5ntains this tooth. 

 The specimen now exhibited and described is not, however, the 

 only one with the milk-molars in situ; there is another in the 

 Bright collection from the opposite side of the upper ^jaw, but from 

 an unknown locality. 



Q.J.G.S. No. 161. D 



