236 BRITISH FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 



individuals stood between 12 and 13 feet high. The smaller races, to wit, the denizens 

 of ancient Ilford and other localities, scarcely equalled the dimensions of an ordinary-sized 

 Asiatic Elephant. 



The climate of Siberia does not appear to have caused a diminution in size, seeing 

 that some of the largest teeth and bones have been brought from Polar lands. 



The Ancient Elephant was both stouter and generally taller than the Mammoth, 

 and presented even greater variability in height. 



As to its external appearance, there is no evidence that it possessed a similar 

 epidermic covering, but the probability is that the protection was necessary, at all events, 

 during its sojourn in North-western Europe. 



The Meridional Elephant was proportionally much taller than either of the fore- 

 going ; and individuals, judging from bones, must, in comparison with the living species, 

 have attained a height of fully 14 feet at the shoulder. The high prominent crown of the 

 Mammoth was less pronounced in this species ; and, being a Pliocene Mammal, the 

 probability is that it was not so densely clad in hair. 



During their long struggles with climate and varying conditions, the lighter built 

 Mammoth would have survived where its tardy compeers would have succumbed. 



The Asiatic Elephant. 



The almost naked epidermis of the adult recent Elephants, although general, is not 

 an invariable distinction, even in full-grown individuals, especially among the denizens of 

 the cooler regions of Asia. Indeed, the young often display this character of their 

 ancestors, and the same has been observed in the case of the Rhinoceros of Asia. 1 



In outward appearance the Asiatic Elephant and Mammoth present similar characters, 

 to wit, the high crown, lengthened anterior dorsal spines, and size of ears. The muta- 

 bility in the size of the Asiatic Elephant is suggestive as regards extinct species, the 

 various races being distinguished by outward characters 2 as well as skeletal differences. 

 Thus, the small-sized race of Central India stands to the taller variety of the North- 

 western Provinces much as the Mammoths of Ilford were to the larger denizens of other 

 localities. 



With reference to height there appears to be great variability. The tallest Asiatic 

 Elephant measured by Mr. Sanderson, out of many hundreds, was 10 feet 5 inches at 

 the shoulder ; according to Tennent, 3 the Ceylon Elephant seldom exceeds 9 feet, and 



1 This is well shown in youthful individuals of both species at present (1880) in the Gardens of 

 the Zoological Society of London. One of the young Asiatic Elephants lately presented to the Society by 

 H.R.H. the Prince of Wales is more or less clad with hair, which Mr. Bartlett informs me has increased 

 smce its arrival. 



2 Falconer, ' Pal. Mem.,' vol. ii, p. 257. 



3 Tennent's ' Ceylon,' vol. iv, p. 291. 



