60 
ON THE FOSSII. ELEPHANT 
ting the Canal, in the west park of CHftonhall estate, hav- 
ing undermined a large bench of earth, it fell, and a sub- 
stance, which the workmen conceived to be the horn of an 
animal, was found amongst the earth, which, as a matter 
that attracted their curiosity, they laid in a cottage adjoining. 
Two days after this, in going along the Canal, I met 
with Sir Alexander Maitland Gibson, who informed 
me that a singular remain of an animal had been found in 
cutting the canal through his estate ; and he politely ac- 
companied me to the cottage, that I might see it. On its 
being produced, I found it to be an ivory tusk, in most 
complete preservation. After taking its dimensions, and 
making a drawing of it, I went to the spot where it was 
found, and questioned the workmen particularly concern- 
ing it. According to their information, the spot where it 
was inclosed in the earth was from 15 to 20 feet from the 
surface : the earth or cover was of the strong old alluvial 
earth before described, and at the point where the banks 
begin to decline, and form the immediate narrow valley 
through which the river Almond runs. In the upper part 
of the earth where the tusk was found, I observed fissures 
about five inches wide at the top, and ending like a wedge 
below, formed by rents in the clay, and filled with sand. 
I have, however, reason to conclude, that the tooth had not 
been in the sand-veins, but inclosed in the clay ; for, other- 
wise, it could not have been in such a complete state of 
preservation. From the close texture of the clay, and being 
so impervious to water, the tooth might, I think, have re- 
mained for ages in the same state. This spot I afterwards 
had the pleasure of examining, along with Professor Jajhe- 
soN, when I pointed out to him the situation where the tusk 
was found. 
The tooth weighed, when washed, lb, avoirdupois, 
and measured as follows : 
