ELEPIIAS PRIMIGENIUS.—FEMUR. 
163 
that of E. meridionalis (fig. 5) is narrower than either. How far these characters admit 
of constancy in the three species can only be determined by comparisons of numerous 
examples. I must state, however, that several specimens referable to E. meridionalis 
maintain the aspect of the proximal extremity shown in fig. 5. 
The average length of the third metacarpal in the Mammoth seldom exceeds 
8^ inches. 
Fourth digit. —There are apparently no characters of a reliable nature in the fourth 
metacarpal in connection with recent and extinct species to require particular notice. 
The bone averages from 7 to 8 inches in length in the Mammoth, whereas specimens 
referable to E. meridionalis or E. antiquus, from the Norfolk submerged deposits, attain 
to almost 9 inches, and fragments indicate even longer bones. 
Fifth digit. —The fifth metacarpal is not so broad in the Mammoth and Asiatic as in 
the African Elephant, and the unciform facet is circular in outline in the two former 
generally, although specimens show an approach to that of the African, which is oval. 
The proximal phalanx appears generally more compressed at midshaft in the Asiatic 
and Mammoth than in Specimen 708h (African) in the British Museum. There are 
other small points with reference to the distal articular surfaces possibly distinctive of 
the bone in the recent Elephant of Asia as compared with the African, but these are 
irregular in the Mammoth. 
There is seemingly a wide difference in all these characters in the equivalent bone of 
E. meridionalis (Plate XVIII, figs. 8 and 8 a), more especially in the contour of the 
proximal articular surface, as will be indicated in the sequel. 
Phalanges. 
The phalanges of the first, second, and fifth digits show apparently several differences 
in the recent species, more especially the proximal and distal elements, as recorded 
elsewhere, 1 and as far as I have been enabled to compare them with similar bones of the 
Mammoth they show closer affinities with the Asiatic than with the African Elephant. 
9. FEMUR. 
The comparisons of Cuvier and De Blainville in relation to the humerus have the 
same force with reference to the femora of the two living species. As regards the 
Mammoth, out of numerous instances from the Arctic region and British strata, it appears 
to me that the thigh, like the arm, was relatively shorter than in the recent Elephants. 
But at the same time there is marked variability in individuals of many species of 
Proboscidea. 
1. Comparing the length and direction of the neck in many instances of the 
1 Adams, ‘ Trans. Zool. Soc. London,’ vol. ix, p. 90. 
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