M. 8. Lull — Evolution of the Elephant. 



171 



rather low type of brain. The limbs combine the archaic 

 features of five toes in front and rear and a serial arrangement 

 of wrist and ankle bones with the admirable adaptation of the 

 entire limb to the support of the huge body. The limbs are 

 further primitive in the retention of both bones of the lower 

 leg and arm, for in most other ungulates one of these in each 





Fig. 



-Conies, Hyrax abyssinicus ; after Brehm. 



member becomes greatly reduced, being, for part of the length 

 at least, often entirely absent. 



The special adaptations are, as in the horses, primarily for 

 food-getting and locomotion, although incidentally the elephants 

 have developed admirable weapons for defense, which, together 

 with the great size and thick skin, render them almost impreg- 

 nable to their enemies of the brute creation. 



Adaptations of the Limbs and Feet. 



The development of the pillar-like limb of the elephant has 

 been shown to be merely a device to support the enormous 

 bodily weight and was independently acquired in other groups 

 of land animals of huge size. In most quadrupeds, however, 



