OF LIVING ELEPHANTS. 191 



the tarsus, a transverse facette for the cuneiform hone ; below. and an- 

 teriorly an oval facette for the second metatarsal. 



The cuboid and the two cuneiform bones which precede it form a 

 transverse band of equal height, so that the tarsus of the elephant has as 

 regular divisions as its carpus. 



8. — Bones of the Metacarpus and Metatarsus. 



The metacarpus and metatarsus of the elephant have each five bones, 

 which it would be well to describe together, the better to establish 

 their characters. 



For both the three bones of the centre are nearly in the form of 

 triangular prisms ; of which one surface is anterior, the other lateral, 

 and a posterior ridge ; this is rounded. 



They are absolutely larger at the metacarpus, and proportionally 

 longer. The length equals twice and a half their breadth. In the meta- 

 tarsus it is but double, and the metatarsal bones are one-fourth shorter. 



The metacarpal bone of the thumb is one-third less every way than 

 the others. Its trapezian surface is oval and slightly concave. It has 

 no lateral surface. Its anterior surface is rounded and not flattened as 

 that of the others. The metacarpal bone of the index has superiorly a 

 large concave triangular facette, for the trapezoid ; on the internal side 

 of its head anteriorly a small triangular vertical surface, for the trape- 

 zium ; on the external side a long surface nearly vertical and semi- 

 oval, for the metacarpal bone of the middle toe. 



This has superiorly for the os magnum a considerable triangular 

 facette, the anterior edge of which undulates a little, to accommodate 

 itself to that of the os magnum ; on the internal edge a vertical facette, 

 proceeding from before backwards the entire length of this edge, for that 

 of the metacarpal bone of the iorlex ; at the external edge another 

 which is also long, but broader in front, for that of the fourth toe 

 (annulaire). 



The metacarpal bone of the fourth toe has for the unciform bone a 

 great triangular facette a little convex, and marked in front with a pro- 

 minent ridge, which corresponds to a depression in the unciform bone. 

 Its facette for the metacarpal bone of the middle toe corresponds to it 

 in form and unequal breadth. This for the metacarpal bone of the 

 little toe is a semi-ellipse, and extends the entire length of the ex- 

 ternal edge. 



The metacarpal bone of the little toe is shorter than the others and 

 also wider; it is compressed at its external border which forms an arch 

 of an ellipse. Its superior surface is triangular and concave, and its 

 external angle is raised to embrace the external part of the unciform 

 bone. Its surface for the metacarpal bone of the fourth toe is semi- 

 oval, and less vertical than the lateral surfaces of the preceding. 



These bones may be recognized, even by their lower head : they are 

 all convex, without marked prominent ridges. That of the middle toe 

 is nearly symmetrical and square ; that of the index a little oblique and 

 considerably narrowed in front ; those of the fourth and little toe are 

 oblique and rhomboidal ; that of the thumb the same, but much smaller .^ 

 All tnese obliquities are directed towards the middle toe, so that those 



T 2 



