58 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



west coast of America, as well as in Siberia. ( Vid. 

 Kotzbue's Voyages.) 



Place in the Geological series. The fossil bones of 

 the Elephant, although they are found to exist con- 

 temporaneously with those of the Mastodon, Rhino- 

 ceros, Megalonyx, Ox, Deer &c. would appear to have 

 belonged also to a geological period more ancient than 

 the last named animals ; according to Cuvier, " the 

 isolated bones which are met with every where, are 

 often observed to have marine animals attached to them, 

 which establishes, in an incontestible manner, that since 

 their dispersion they have been covered by the ocean 

 under which they have been buried a considerable 

 time." 



These remains are most generally discovered in the 

 diluvial deposits which fill vallies, or on the borders of 

 rivers. 



It is probable that the immense mass of the fossil 

 bones of the Elephant scattered throughout the world, 

 include the remains of several species ; they are gene- 

 rally found in a state of decay, too imperfect for specific 

 comparisons, the only perfect skeleton of this animal 

 known, being that in the museum of St. Petersburg, 

 Russia. From observations that we have made on the 

 fossil elephant teeth, several years ago, and published in 

 vol. iii. of the Journ. Acad. Nat. Sciences of Philad. 

 there can be little doubt but that two distinct species at 

 least once existed in North America. 



Specimens of the teeth and fragments of the skeleton 

 of this species abound in our cabinets both public and 



