ELEPHANTS. 



71 



In the African Elephant (Elephas africanus) the molar teeth 

 have fewer and wider plates of dentine and enamel, which in the 

 worn condition form lozenge-shaped surfaces (fig. 52, B), with the 

 borders of enamel much less crimped, or frilled, than in the Asiatic 

 species. Externally, the African Elephant is distinguished by its 

 huge ears, the very convex forehead, and the presence of two small 

 finger-like processes on the tip of the trunk (fig. 51, B), while the 

 trunk itself is less regularly tapering and elastic, looking as though 

 composed of a number of distinct segments, comparable to the 

 joints of a telescope. Tusks are generally present in both sexes, 

 and frequently attain very large dimensions. This species often 

 grows to ten feet in height, and may reach eleven or more. It feeds 

 almost entirely on twigs, leaves and roots, throwing down trees for 

 the purpose of obtaining the latter, and also digging for these with 

 its tusks. Although equally fond of water, it is far less impatient 

 of heat than its Indian cousin, and may frequently be seen basking 

 in the sun. Like the latter, this species associates in herds. 



The African Elephant formerly inhabited the whole of Africa 

 south of the Sahara, but is now driven back towards the centre of 

 the continent ; its fossil remains have also been found in North 

 Africa and Southern Europe. It is more courageous and more ill- 

 tempered than its Indian ally, and therefore more difficult to tame; 

 none of the present African natives have attempted its domes- 

 tication. Owing to the value of its ivory it is continually hunted; 

 and it is to be feared that the species will eventually become 

 extinct. 



The species is represented in the collection by a magnificent 

 mounted male from near Fort Manning, South Nyasaiand, or 

 British Central Africa (see Frontispiece*), standing 11 feet 

 4 inches at the shoulder ; and also by a mounted head from Lake 

 Rudolf, presented by Mr. H. S. H. Cavendish. Among several 

 specimens of skulls and tusks, one tusk is remarkable for its huge 

 size, measuring 10 feet 2 inches in length, and 24J inches in 

 maximum girth, and weighing 228 lbs. 



Considerable differences, both as regards external form and the 



* In taking this photograph it was found impossible to get the whole 

 animal in focus, so that the head, tusks, and trunk appear abnormally 

 large. 



