THE SKULL AND MANDIBLE OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA-AFRICANA)

In the present study the bones of the skull, excluding the hyoid appar atus, are described. All the bones are aerated by sinuses. In the occi pital bone the squamous part is aerated from the sinus of the parietal bone, the lateral part is aerated from the tympanic bulla and the bas al part from the sinus of the basisphenoid bone. Condylar foramens and hypoglossal canals are absent. A small interparietal bone is present at birth. At an early age it fuses with the surrounding cranial bones. The squamous part of the temporal bone lies sagittally in young anima ls, but moves progressively to a transverse plane as the animals age, A foramen lacerum is represented by jugular and oval foramens and the carotid canal, The body of the basisphenoid bone is excavated by the m assive maxillary tuberosity. The latter extends to the oval foramen an d contains the developing molar teeth. The ethmoturbinate, nasal and l acrimal bones are exceptionally small. In old bulls the palatine proce sses of the incisive bones and their sinuses are gradually displaced b y the palatine processes of the maxillae.