Mere size, on the contrary, would in some cases determine, as has been remarked by Owen, quicker extermination, from the greater amount of requisite food.

Before man inhabited India or Africa, some cause must have checked the continued increase of the existing elephant.

A highly capable judge, Dr.

Falconer, believes that it is chiefly insects which, from incessantly harassing and weakening the elephant in India, check its increase; and this was Bruce's conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia.