1406 



CLASS MAMMALIA. 



which is closely allied in dental characters to E. antiquns, although distin- 

 guished by a very prominent overhanging ridge on the frontals. Here 

 we may also mention E. Columbi, of the Pleistocene of Central and 

 North America, and E. armeniacus from Armenia ; the former being 

 intermediate in the structure of its teeth between E. antiquus and E. indi- 

 cus, and the latter between E.ftrimige?iins and E. indicus. It is, however, 

 not improbable that E. Columbi is only a variety of the Mammoth. Lastly, 



Fig. 1286.— A half-worn third left upper true molar of the Mammoth (Elephas primigenius), 

 viewed from the grinding surface ; from the Pleistocene of Europe. One-third natural size. 



" The incisors are usually long, spiral, and 



we have the Mammoth (E. ftrimigenhis), in which the number of ridges 



in the molars is represented by the high figures Mm. , _l ' ((l _\ ' ) _ — L 



(9-15)- (14-16). (18-27) 



•(9-15). (14-16). (18-27)' 



not very thick near the alveolus ; they are, however, subject to great 



variation. The molars (fig. 1286) are relatively wide in proportion to 



their length ; their ridges are narrow 

 and closely packed, with the cement, 

 enamel, and dentine very thin ; the 

 plication of the enamel is usually 

 slight; the worn dentine -disks are 

 very narrow ; and the crown is usually 

 characterised by the extreme flatness 

 of its wear. Variations are common, 

 and those molars in which the ridges 

 are thicker and less numerous, and 

 the enamel is more plicated, approach 

 very closely to certain examples of 

 E. a?itiquus. The existing Indian 

 species presents a close approach in 

 dental and skeletal structure, but the 

 molars are decidedly of a less special- 

 ised type, and thereby indicate that 

 the living species is not a descendant 

 of the Mammoth." This animal was 

 covered with a thick woolly coat, and 

 also with an outer covering of long 

 hair, by which means it was protected 

 from the climatal rigours of the north- 

 erly regions over which it once roamed. Remains of the Mammoth have 

 been found in Northern Europe, Asia, and America ; and in the frozen 

 soil of the banks of the Siberian rivers numerous carcasses have been 



Fig. 1287. — Lateral view of a half-worn 

 upper true molar of the Mammoth. About 

 one-third natural size. 



