342 



VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



are unable to apply the mouth directly to the ground, either for 

 feeding or for drinking, owing to the peculiar foi'm of the incisor 

 teeth. The upper incisors of the Elephants, namely, are two in 

 number, and constitute long tnsks, which grow throughout the 

 entire life of the animal, and which in old individuals may reach a 

 length of six or seven feet (fig. 247). There are no lower incisor teeth, 

 and canine teeth are wanting in both the upper and lower jaws. 

 Each jaw, however, usually exhibits a jjair of exceedingly large 

 molar teeth (fig. 248), which are transversely ridged, and which are 



Fig. 247.— Skull of the Indian Elepliant {EUphas Indicus). i Tusk-like upper incisors ; 

 m Lower jaw, witli grinding molars, but without incisors ; n Nostrils, placed at the 

 extremity of the proboscis. 



used in triturating the foliage or herbage on which the animal feeds. 

 The entire structiire of the Elephant is exceedingly massive, and the 

 skin is thick, and sparingly furnished with hair. The feet have five 

 toes each, but all the toes do not carry hoofs, and the animal walks upon 

 a thick pad of horny skin, which forms the lower end of each foot. 



The recent Elephants are exclusively confined to the tropical 

 regions of the Old World, in the forests of which they live in herds. 

 Only two living species are known — the Asiatic Ele])hant {Elephas 

 Jjidiriis) and the African Elejjhant (£". Africanux). There can be no 



