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latter in oblongs the long sides of wLich arc parallel to ouo 

 another. Tims the tooth of tho African elephant contains 

 fewer subdivisions than that of the Indian. These huge masses 

 of tooth constituents are admirably adapted to act as millstones 

 in grinding down hard vegetable matters, the arrangement of 

 substances of a different degree of hardness on the table 

 secures a constant roughness which gives tho firmness of grasp 

 necessary for proper comminution of food. As the animal grows 

 older a succession of teeth takes place from behind resulting 

 from development of the tooth capsule backwards as the jaw 

 lengthens ; also in each individual tooth the subdivisions come 

 into wear in turn from front to back, thus each in turn attains a 

 maximum of size and then its fang begins to lengthen, and 

 to become absorbed in consequence of pressure from tho sub- 

 division behind, and wear reduces the length of the tooth from, 

 the other extremity, so each tooth subdivision has its period of 

 growth and decline. Tho total arrangement is such as to 

 most thoroughly provide for sufficient tooth material through- 

 out tho long period of life allotted to elephants. 



Such complex and important organs as the Elephant's molars 

 ai-o naturally liable to disorder. Firstly, Cnista Petrosa Tumours 

 are apt to result from excess of the normally enormous amount of 

 this material. They are generally of considei-able size and liable 

 to seriously reduce the condition of the animal by interfering with 

 mastication. It is necessary to secure the animal by mean of 

 shackles in a recumbent position, fix the mouth open by means of 

 a wooden gag* and remove the tumour by means of a butcher's 

 or amputating saw. Colonel Havvkes mentions an irregularity 

 caused hy disease of the fang, abnormal growths on which force 

 tho teeth, especially the small front ones, so much out of place 

 that they abrade tho inner surface of the cheek and render mas- 

 tication painful in tho extreme. It is evident that in such cases 

 simple sawing o2 of the projecting portion is not sufficient ; we 

 Lavo to deal with tooth ache from diseased fang aa well as with 

 inability and impediment to mastication, tho displaced portion 

 of tooth must, if possible, bo extracted by judicious use of a 

 chisel or pritchel and mallet. 



Tho enormous weight of tho Elephant's teeth implies large jaw.s, 

 • Tho gag used by the mahouts has sometimes unuecessary iron spikes in it. 



