The temporal gland of the African elephant [Loxodonta africana] was studied from a microanatomical and developmental standpoint. Temporal gland sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Mallory''s azan and oil red-O. Its developmental patterns and structural similarity to mammary glands and apocrine sweat glands indicated a modified apocrine sweat gland. The microanatomy was similar to that described for the Asian elephant [Elephas maximus]. Glandular cells contain lipid droplets, and metachromatic granules which surround the lumenal border of epithelial cells and occur within the lumen suggest an acid mucopolysaccharide secretory product of the temporal gland.