. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. PACHYDERMATA. 129 together by a third substance, termed the cortical; in a word, similar to those we have already seen in the Cavies, and some other Rodents. These grinders succeed each other not vertically, as our permanent teeth replace the milk teeth, but from behind forwards, so that as fast as one tooth becomes worn, it is pushed forward by that which comes after it ; hence it happens that the Elephant has sometimes one, sometimes two grinders on each side, or four or eight in all, according to its age. The first
. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. PACHYDERMATA. 129 together by a third substance, termed the cortical; in a word, similar to those we have already seen in the Cavies, and some other Rodents. These grinders succeed each other not vertically, as our permanent teeth replace the milk teeth, but from behind forwards, so that as fast as one tooth becomes worn, it is pushed forward by that which comes after it ; hence it happens that the Elephant has sometimes one, sometimes two grinders on each side, or four or eight in all, according to its age. The first of these teeth is always composed of fewer laminae than those which succeed them. It is stated that certain Elephants thus change their molars eight times : their tusks, however, are changed but once. The Elephants of the present day, covered with a rough skin nearly destitute of hair, inhabit only the torrid zone of the ancient Continent, where hitherto but two species have been discovered. The Asiatic Elephant (E. indiens, Cuv.).—Head oblong, with a concave forehead ; the crown of the grinders presenting transverse undulating ridges (rubans), which are sections of the lamina; which compose them, worn down by trituration. This species has smaller ears than the next one, and has four nails to the hind foot. It is found from the Indus to the Eastern Ocean, and in the large islands to the south of India. From time immemo- rial this species has been employed as a beast of draught and burden ; but has never yet propagated in captivity, though the assertion respecting its modesty and repugnance to copulate before witnesses is utterly devoid of foundation. The females have very short tusks, and in this respect many of the males resemble them. The African Elephant (E. africanus, Cuv.).—Head round, with a convex forehead; very large ears; and grinders presenting lozenge-shaped eminences on their crowns. It appears to have often only three toes on the hind-foot. This species inhabi
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