The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 10 (of 10)Beddard, Frank E. (Frank Evers)
Science
The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 10 (of 10)
Beddard, Frank E. (Frank Evers)
Animals; Mammals
The existing forms are known in a fossil, or at least sub-fossil state,
from diluvial deposits; and it is interesting to note that the African
Elephant had formerly a wider range than now. Its bones (described as _E.
priscus_) have been met with in Spain and Sicily.
One of the best known of completely-extinct Elephants is the Mammoth, _E.
primigenius_. This great Elephant in most respects more nearly approached
the existing Indian Elephant. The teeth have quite as numerous plates. The
tusks were enormous, reaching a maximum length of 15 feet; they were much
curved upwards as well as outwards. A large tusk weighs as much as 250 lbs.
The Mammoth was of exceedingly wide range. Not only was it found in various
parts of Europe, but it was especially abundant in Siberia, as is
exemplified by the fact that for the last two hundred years as many or more
than 100 pairs of tusks annually have been sold from that region. It also
occurred in America together with forms at least not far removed from it,
such as _E. columbianus_. Mammoths have been more than once found as entire
carcases in the frozen soil of Siberia. The first was discovered in the
year 1799, and rescued some years later for the St. Petersburg Museum. This
example showed that the Mammoth, unlike existing Elephants, was covered
with thick wool mingled with long and more bristly hairs of some 10 inches
in length. The softer wool formed a kind of mane beneath the neck, which
hung down as far as the knees. Another carcase was discovered later by
Lieut. Benkendorf, who did not save it, but was nearly swept along with it
into the sea by a flood. These creatures died in the position in which they
were found by being bogged when in search of vegetation or water. {227}
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