different Species of Asiatic Elephants. 221 
Farther back in the jaw, the third grinder, which is composed 
of about thirteen teeth, has no appearance of roots ; nor have 
the different teeth any connection with each other, except by the 
common membranes. When these are destroyed, the teeth or 
rudiments of a succeeding grinder can be easily separated from 
each other. At this period, the enamel of the third grinder 
has not been formed, but only the substance of the teeth, which 
it afterwards covers, adapting itself to the irregularities of the 
surface. (Tab. VI. Fig. 2.) When a grinder is considerably 
worn down, these irregularities of the central lamellae are evi- 
dent, from the enamel of each tooth being indented and puckered, 
as it were, all round. (Tab. VII. IX. and X.) 
Having thus attempted to explain, in a clear and satisfactory 
manner, the progressive growth and regular succession of the 
grinders, I will next point out the periods in which I conceive 
these respective changes to take place. Here, however, I am 
in considerable doubt and uncertainty ; but will fairly state the 
circumstances which first drew my attention particularly to this 
subject, as well as the grounds upon which my conclusions 
have been made. 
In November, 1795, I sent a couple of elephants’ heads, 
through my friend Mr. Fairlie, of Calcutta, to D. Scott, Esq. 
of Upper Harley-street, to be placed by him in some public 
museum.* In my letter, dated the 17th of that month, I 
mentioned the most remarkable peculiarities of these heads, 
and particularly the grinders ; but at the same time made this 
remark, “ there is only one tooth in each side of either jaw, till 
“ an elephant attains its full growth.” Upon examining after- 
* These were afterwards sent to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart, and 
by him to the British Museum, where they now are. 
MDCCXCTX. 
