This article deals with basic morphological details that allow the distinction and classification of molars belonging to the three mammoth species represented in north-western Europe. These are Mammuthus primigenius (BLUMENBACH), Mammuthus armeniacus (FALCONER) and Mammuthus meridionalis (NESTI), the first of which is particulary stressed on account of the fact that it numerically outweighs its predecessors by far. In addition to these, some attention is paid to the molars of the forest elephant Elephas namadicus (FALCONER & CAUTLEY). Especially in the Netherlands (including a large area of the North Sea bottom, where mammalian fossil remains make out a by-product of fishing) the link between stratigraphical detail and fossils is rendered impossible by exploitation methods such as dredging. The palaeontologist therefore cannot but resort to morphology for establishing some chronological perspective within the extant material from a certain location. The distinctive and non-distinctive features referred to are plate formula, lamellar frequency and relative crown height. Some general information about growth, roots, allocation methods, abrasion and deformity is also given.