Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
December 20, 1805
Primary Source Reference:
"Early Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1744-1838," Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 22, no. 119, part III (1885): 380-381, 557-558
Notes:
On 20 Dec 1805 the American Philosophical Society received the skeleton as a gift from the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, India, which even paid the freight charge to Philadelphia. The gift was secured by APS member William Roxburgh, who had been living in India for about thirty years. On 17 Jan 1806 APS decided that the skeleton was to be "placed in the sameroom with Mr. Peale's Mammoth, with a handsome and suitable Inscription to show that it was presented to this Society by the Asiatic Society. . . . Mr. Peale . . . perfectly understands that it is not to be advertised, and is to be at all times accessible to the Members, & he further agrees that no charge shall be made to those Persons whom the Members of the Society may bring to see it." The skeleton as exhibited in the Museum may have lacked tusks, because Roxburgh had written, "The tusks lie buried and cannot be touched at present." "Early Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 1744-1838," Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 22, no. 119, part III (1885): 380-381, 557-558.
Specimen Type:
Skeletons/skulls/bones
Current Common Name:
Asian elephant
Current Scientific Name
Elephas maximus
