1868.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 131 



are frequently broken off sharp at about four feet from the ground 

 Large bamboos seem to be crushed between the teeth just as a mere 

 amusement, in fact, as a groom might chew a straw, 



" In examining the foot-prints at the river ghats and other places, 

 I was much struck with the carelessness with which the wild elephants 

 walk as compared with the domesticated animals ; the latter, as is well 

 known, try every step on doubtful ground, and if there is danger, 

 refuse to proceed : the former seem constantly to make false steps and 

 even venture upon recently made tank bunds which, in several cases, 

 I noticed had given way under their weight." 



Dr. Stoliczka said— The most prominent distinctions between the 

 African and the Indian elephant, besides the difference in the size of 

 the ears, were the greater frontal roundness of the head and the easier 

 slope from near the middle of the back in the former species. Lieute- 

 nant Johnstone had noticed in the Indian elephant the variation in 

 the number of false ribs, and in the size of the ears, and it would be 

 very interesting to notice how far the other distinctive characters 

 were constant. There could be little doubt that several more or less 

 constant variations among the Indian elephants may in time be traced 

 out. And it would be very desirable further to notice how much 

 these variations depend upon, or are caused by, local influences and 

 conditions of climate — by food, &c, and whether these variations are 

 hereditary. The form of the milk-teeth should also be very carefully 

 noted, very few observations having been made in their direction. 



Dr. Fayrer asked whether there was more than one species of ele* 

 phants known in India, and whether any differences in the lamellae of 

 the molar teeth, such as were characteristic of the African elephant, 

 had been observed. 



Dr. Stoliczka said that so far as present observations went, Indian 

 elephants have all been referred to one species, and pointed out the 

 great difficulty which existed in making accurate observations on the 

 teeth, after they had been much ground down by use. While the 

 arrangement of the lamellae will of course remain constant, variations 

 may arise from different causes. Observations on the milk-teeth, would 

 be much simpler and more to be depended upon. Several important dis- 

 tinctions have been traced out among fossil elephants by the study of 

 these milk-teeth. 



