72 
MEMOIR OF CAMPER. 
interesting. He remarks, “ The histoiyof the great 
quadrupeds vvliich are strangers to the temperate 
zone, especially require revision, and a judicious 
comparison of former observations ; tlie most inaccu- 
rate ideas are generally entertained of these colossal 
animals, and the mechanism of their organs, and the 
discrimination of the speci ’s is buried in deep ob- 
scurity. It was reserved for comparative anatomy 
to draw aside the veil, and point out the differences 
which distinguisli the living species of the genus, as 
well as their alliances with those branches of the 
original stock, of which only fossil debris now re- 
main. It has usually been supposed that the former 
were descended from one identical family, and that 
the latter were peculiar in every respect.” “ Cam- 
per,” says his son, “ was the first of tiie moderns to 
point out the distinctive characters of the genus, and 
he immediately communicated his discoveries to 
such of his acquaintances as were interested in Na- 
tural History. ’ He examines how far the tusks 
constitute a ground of ilistinction ; at the same time 
stating in which species, wliether Asiatic, African, 
or fossil, they are found or wanting; and then points 
out a less equivocal mark, in the minute structure of 
the great molares, which both Blumenbach and Cu- 
vier have adopted in their classifications. We may 
describe this mark in the language of Blumenbach. 
“ Elephas A.siaticus, dentium molarium corona, 
lineis undulatis dhtincta. Elephas Africanus, 
