20 
BRITISH FOSSIL ELEPHANTS. 
The last milk molar of E. primigenius is ordinarily shorter in length and height, and 
very much broader than that of E. antiquus, with closely approximated and uncrimped 
enamel ridges, without even a tendency to central expansions and angulations of tlieii 
disks, the formula usually being x 12 x. 1 * 3 4 
The same molar in E. meridionalis has a relatively broader crown than even in the 
Mammoth, with thick plates, generally uncrimped, and a ridge formula averaging 
only x 8 x? 
The Asiatic Elephant has the same high ridge formula as that of the Mammoth, and the 
crimping is excessive, whilst there is an absence of the mesial expansion and angulation 
so general in the disk of E. antiquus. 
In the last milk molar of the African Elephant the low ridge formula xl x and the 
short ridges with the lozenge-shaped disks show peculiarities distinguishable from any of 
the foregoing. 
The third milk molar in the Maltese fossil Elephants holds from 10 to 11 ridges 
in about three inches in the larger form E. Mnaidriensis, and, of course, in a much 
smaller space in the dwarf E. Melitensis and E. Falconeri. But, with the exception of 
these smaller dimensions and less pronounced crimping of the machaerides, there is a 
very close alliance between the last milk molars I have ascribed to E. Mnaidriensis 3 and 
the same teeth in E. antiquus. 
The closest affinities exist, therefore, between the last milk molar of E. antiquus* 
E. Namadicus, and E. Mnaidriensis. The thick-plated variety observed m the preceding 
member of the milk series is again repeated individually in the last of the milk series, 
showing the disposition to variability, which is a marked feature in the dentition of 
Elephas antiquus , and therefore noteworthy whenever noticeable. 
Dr. Falconer after eliminating talons has conceded ordinarily 10 plates as the exponent 
of the last milk molar of E. antiquus.* 
From the foregoing and other specimens it appears to me that the upper molar 
usually holds from 9 to 10 plates and 2 talons in a length varying from 4'5 to 5-5 
inches; whilst lower teeth usually contain 9 to 11 plates, besides fore and hind talons., 
in a length varying from 4‘5 to 5'8 in. The highest expression ot 12 plates and ~ talons 
is doubtless rare. This tooth shows, I repeat, the tendency to variation, so generally the 
case with the last milk and first true molar; yet, perhaps, eleven plates and two talons 
would embrace by far the larger number of, at all events, British molars of E. antiquus. 
1 British Museum, several specimens. 
3 ‘ Pal. Mem.,’ vol. ii, pp. 110 and 111; ‘ F. A. S., pi. xiv b, fig. 4. 
3 ‘Trans. Zool. Soc. London,’ vol. ix, pi. iii, figs. 4 and 5, pp. 21 and 22. 
4 ‘ Pal Mem.,’ vol. ii, p. 176. 
