Reproduction
Object numberRCSOM/G 122.8
Scientific nameLoxodonta africana
CollectionOdontological
CategoryDry preparations
Object nametusks, Tooth Abnormalities, Un-mounted dry tissue
DescriptionWreathed or spiral tusk of an African elephant.
This tusk was given to the Royal Society by Thomas Crispe of the Royal African Company and was described in Nehemiah Grew's 'Musaeum Regalis Societatis, or a Catalogue & description of the Rarities belonging to the Royal Society & preserved at Gresham College', published in 1681. It was subsequently transferred to the British Museum, and in 1809 was among the items sold by the British Museum by the Royal College of Surgeons.
"A tusk of an African elephant with an abnormal spiral curvature. The tusk is of considerable historical interest as it is probably the earliest pathological specimen in any museum in this country. At one time it formed part of the collection of the Royal Society, and as early as 1681 it was figured and described by Grew as follows: --""A spiral or wreathed tusk of an elephant. Presented from the Royal African Company by Thomas Crispe Esq. It is twisted and wreathed frow the bottom to the top with three circumvolutions standing between two straight lines. ""Tis also furrowed by the length. Yet the furrows surround it not as in the horn of the Sea Unicorn, but run parallel therewith. Neither is it round as the said horn, but somewhat flat. The top very blunt."" To this picturesque description
a few words may be added. The tusk measures about 140cm. from the tip to the base along the outer curve. At the growing end the ivory does not completely encircle the pulp cavity, there being a slight gap extending down the tusk for about 20cm.; beyond this is a shallow depression, gradually decreasing in width, which continues for about half the length of the tusk. The remaining portion of the tusk appears to be well formed. The curvature is towards the grooved side. Illustrated in ""The Dental Record"", Vol. XLVI, fig. 2, p. 3."
Associated institution
Owner/user
Associated institution
Associated institution
purchased
British Museum (1809)
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 7: The Museum after Hunter
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry, unmounted. Dimensions:1030mm l x 230mm d.
Dimensions
whole length: 1030 mm
whole diameter: 230 mm
whole diameter: 230 mm
Bibliography
SourceColyer Revised Ed. 1990
Page 419
NotesThis specimen is described and figured as Fig. 19.28
Transcript2499. A tusk, with an abnormal spiral curvature, evidently depending on a diseased condition of the puylp, leading to incomplete formation of the ivory on one side of the tooth. OC 2757. This specimen is figured in Grew's 'Musaeum Regalis Societatis,' 1681, p.31, and described as follows:- "A spiral or wreathed tusk of an Elephant. Presented from the Royal African Company by Thomas Crispe, Esq. It is twisted or wreathed from the bottom to the top with three circumvolutions standing between two straight lines. 'Tis also furrow'd by the length. Yet the furrows surround it not as in the horn of the Sea Unicorn, but run parallel therewith. Neither is it wound as the said horn, but somewhat flat. The top very blunt (fig. Tab. 4)." The collection of the Royal Society was transferred to the British Museum on the removal of the Society from Crane Court to Somerset House in 1781. British Museum. Purchased, 1809.
TranscriptA SPIRAL or WREATHED TUSK of an ELEPHANT. Presented from the Royal African-Company by Thomas Crispe Esq; 'Tis about an Ell long. At the base, a foot about. From the thin edges whereof, it is conically hollow to the depth (or height) of near 1/2 a yard. It is twisted or wreathed from the bottom to the top with three Circumvolutions, standing between two straight lines. 'Tis also furrow'd by the length. Yet the furrows surround it not, as in the horn of the Sea-Unicorn; but run parallel therewith. Neither is it round, as the said Horn, but somewhat flat. The Top very blunt. Pausanias (cited by Gesner) affirms, and seems to speak of it as a thing well known, That the Tusks of Elephants, which he calls, and useth arguments to prove them Horns, may by the help of fire, like Cows horns, be reduced to any shape. Whether this be naturally twisted, or by art, I will not determine. Terzagi in Septalius's Musaeum mentions though not a Spiral, yet straight Tusk of an Elephant, two yards high and 160 pounds in weight.
