3lG ON THE FOSSIL BOXES OF PACHYDERMATOUS QCADKUPEDS, 



species. From the former, bo^veve^, it is found to differ in its jaw- 

 teeth, in the shape of the lower jaw, and of man)' other bones, but par- 

 ticidarly in the length of the articulations of its tusks. 



This last characteristic must necessarily produce a peculiar modifi- 

 cation in the shape and organization of the trunk, and give it an 

 appearance very different from that of the Indian species — a difference 

 •which the resemblance of the rest of their bones might not have led 

 us to expect. 



It would appear that these tusks were in general large, often more 

 or less arched in a spiral form, and directed outwards. There is no 

 proof of their differing much Avith regard to sex or breed. The height 

 of this species was not much beyond that to -which the Indian species 

 may attain : it would appear that its form was in general shorter 

 and thicker. 



It is quite clear, from the remains of its bones, that it was a species 

 differing more from that of India, than the ass differs from the horse, 

 or the jackal and the isitis from the wolf and the fox. 



We have not been able to ascertain the size of its eajs, or the colour 

 of its skin, but it is certain that at least a portion of the species had 

 two sorts of hair, viz. a reddish wool, thick and tufted and coarse 

 hair, stiff and black, which grew long enough on the neck and spine 

 to form a sort of mane. 



Thus, not only is there nothing Impossible in its being able to 

 support a climate which would prove destructive to the Indian 

 species, but it is even probable that it was so constituted as to prefer 

 the colder climates. 



Its bones are commonly found in the moveable and superficial strata 

 of the earth, and more frequently in the deposits of inundations, which 

 cover the bottoms of the vallies, or which skirt the beds of rivers. 



In these places they are scarcely ever found alone, but are found 

 confusedly intermixed with the bones of other quadrupeds of species 

 well known to us — such as the rhinoceros, the ox, the antelope, tiie 

 stag, the horse, and frequently with those of marine animals, such as 

 shell-fish, part of Vi-hich had adhered to them. 



T)ie positive testimony of Pallas, as well as that of Fortis and 

 many others, does not allow us to doubt of the frequent occurrence of 

 this latter circumstance, although it has not been universally observed. 

 I have this moment beneath my eyes a portion of a jaw encrusted with 

 millepords and small oysters. 



The beds of earth which cover these elephant bones are not of any 

 very considerable thickness, and are scarcely ever found to be of a 

 stony nature. The bones are seldom petrified, and there are but 

 one or two instances on record of their being found embedded in 

 stone, shells, or other similar bodies ; most frequently they are only 

 accom.panied bj- our common fresh-wnter shells ; the similarity 

 existing with regard to the latter particular, as well as with regard to 

 the nature of the soil of the three places, of which we have the most 

 detailed accounts — viz. Tcnna, Canstadt, and the forest of Bondy, is 

 also very remarkable. Everything then would seem to concur in 

 indicating that the cause which has led to their interment is one 

 which has most recently contributed to change the surface of the globe. 



