242 BRITISH FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 



Elephas antiquus. 



If I am correct in assigning the three well-marked varieties of teeth 1 to E. antiquus, 

 the following inferences may be drawn in connection with their relations to the molars 

 and other remains of allied forms hitherto regarded as distinct species : 



1st. The massive broad crown of E. antiquus, with its ridges closely approximated, 

 and not unfrequently devoid of, or only partially displaying, angulations, central expan- 

 sions, and crimping of the enamel discs, so characteristic of the long narrow tooth, 

 coupled with the characters of the bones, appears to assimilate closely to the same 

 elements of the skeleton of E. Namadicus of India. Molars and bones of the above 

 description are plentiful in collections from. British and European Pliocene and Post- 

 pliocene strata. But these affinities do not end here, for on comparing the above with 

 the fluted crowns of E. Asiaticus. E. Armeniacus, E. Columbi? and certain teeth assigned 

 to E. primigenius, very close relationships are likewise traceable. These are most 

 apparent in crowns of the latter, in which all the characters of the broad massive molar 

 of E. antiquus are represented. Hypothetically, one might argue that from the Miocene 

 E. Hysudricus sprang the E. Namadicus and E. antiquus, from which E. Asiaticus, E. 

 Armeniacus, E. Columbi, and E. primigenius branched off. 



2nd. The long narrow, and often arcuated crown of E. antiquus, on which the 

 species was first differentiated, although the most common variety, as far as British 

 specimens. are concerned, can be, without difficulty, traced in a series towards the third 

 variety, to which Falconer assigned the name of E. priscus, from its close agreement 

 with the tooth of E. Africanus. It was only after a more extended experience, that he 

 withdrew that name and placed it in the same category with E. antiquus. The instances 

 recorded elsewhere of the variety in question 3 include several colossal teeth of Elephants 

 whose dimensions must have rivalled those of the broad crown, and even the teeth of 

 E. meridionalis, whilst other grinders and bones belonging to animals with the narrow 

 crown must be referred to much smaller individuals. 



The discs of these molars generally display well-marked angulations and expansions 

 (PI. V, fig. 1), although these are not always on every disc. 



The degrees of crimping and thickness of the enamel, dentine, and cement are 



variable. Again, when the elements are in excess, and the crimping very feeble, or nearly 



absent, and the central expansions and angulations pronounced, 4 the sculpturing of the 



Page 31, and elsewhere. 

 2 The molar of E. Columbi, 'Pal. Mem.,' vol. ii, p. 222, and in vol. v, plate iv, of the 'Geologist,' 



and No. 33,218 of the Palseontological Collection, B. M. ; also No 20 ' 702 , B. M. The characters of their 



crowns closely resemble the following examples of the broad variety of E. antiquus. The molar from 

 Happisborough, No. 33,327, B. M., alluded to at p. 37, and No. 27,907, B. M., from Clacton, at p. 33, 

 plate IV, fig. 1, and also plates V, fig. 1, and XX, figs. 1 and 2. s Page 33. 



4 See molar 39,370, B. M., from Gray's, Essex, ' Pal. Mem.,' vol. ii, pi. xvii, fig. 1, and part i, p. 34. 





