GREAT ELEPHANT. 22^ 
teeth are merely joined to each other by an interme- 
diate softer substance^ acting as a cement. This 
structure, even at first glance, must appear very 
curious, being composed of a number of perpen- 
dicular laminjB, which may be considered as so 
many teeth ; each covered with a strong enamel, 
and joined to one another by the common osseous 
matter : this-, being much softer than the enamel, 
wears away faster by the mastication of the food ; 
and in a few months after these teeth cut the gum, 
the enamel rises considerably higher, so that the 
surface of each grinder soon acquires a ribbed ap- 
pearance, as if originally formed with ridges. The 
number of these teeth, or portions, of which an 
Elephant s grinder is composed, varies from four 
to twenty-three, according as the animal advances 
in age; so that a grinder or case of teeth in 
a full-grown Elephant is more than sufficient to 
fill one side of the mouth. The shape of the 
grinders of the lower jaw differs from those of the 
upper, which are very convex on the back part, 
whereas the lower has a bent or curved direction, 
adapting itself to the shape of the jaw; and is 
concave on the surface. The grinders, like the 
tusks, are already formed, even in the very young 
animal. The first set of grinders, or milk-teeth^ 
begin to cut the gum eight or ten days after 
birth: they are not shed, or cast, as the milk- 
tusks are, but are gradually worn away during 
the time the second set are coming forward. Mr. 
Corse could not ascertain the exact time at which 
the second set of grinders make then- appearance,. 
V. I. 15 
