22 On the Climate of th e Fossil Elephant. [Jan, 



for the difference of latitude between that place and Kirkdale, the num- 

 bers stand thus : 



Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March 



Nahun, 58 47.5 45.5 47 59.5 



Kirkdale, 42.1 41.8 38 39.8 42.1 



Difference, 15.9 5.7 7.5 7.2 17.4 



So that for the three coldest months in the year, the elephant actually 

 endures a temperature not differing in the average more than 6°. 8 Farh. 

 from that of Yorkshire at the same season. 



Now we have no reason to suppose the great heats of the summer es- 

 sential to the existence of the elephant ; if, therefore, we alter only these 

 five months at Kirkdale, so as to raise them above the minimum at Nahun 

 (45.5), we have a climate, which we may reasonably suppose it capable 

 of bearing the year through. Allowing the differences between each 

 successive month to be as at present, we might place the numbers thus : 



Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March 



Kirkdale, 50.1 49.8 46 47.8 50.1 



The total number of degrees added to the five months is 40, which would 

 raise the mean of the whole year from 48 to 51.3. The months of April 

 and October would be warmer than at present; but this would be com- 

 pensated by the diminished heat of the summer months, which would 

 probably be somewhat cooler. 



Here then the argument of Mr. Fleming applies with peculiar effect. 

 Most species with which we are acquainted have certain breeds or varie- 

 ties which are somewhat more hardy than their fellows. Thus the oxen, 

 and sheep, and horses that are bred in the low pastures of the south of 

 England, would perish in a country where the black cattle and sheep of 

 the Highland of Scotland, and the ponies of Shetland, would thrive. If 

 therefore it be not improbable to suppose that the present elephant of 

 Northern India is fitted to live in an insular clunate, the mean tempera- 

 ture of which is about 52° Farh., it is by no means unlikely that a breed 

 somewhat hardier may have existed in a mean temperature four degrees 

 lower, or 48°. 



There is yet, however, some further evidence, that the elephant is 

 capable of bearing a climate somewhat similar to that which has been 

 above assigned to it. 



Hannibal, on his famous expedition into Italy, took with him a consi- 

 derable number of elephants, which were probably obtained in Mauri- 

 tania. A detailed account has been left us of the difficulties he was 

 subjected to, particularly in the passage of the Alps ; but it is no where 

 that I can find stated, that the elephants suffered more than the other 

 beasts of burden belonging to the camp. The transport of them across 



