288 7 HE MAN US. [CHAP. 



is represented only by a rudimentary metacarpal. This digit 

 is usually much reduced in size, and often, as in the Dog, 

 does not reach the ground in walking. It is best developed 

 in the Bears and allied forms. The first metacarpal is never 

 more freely movable than any of the others. As a general 

 rule the middle digit is somewhat the longest, the second 

 and fourth nearly equal to it, the fifth shorter, and the first 

 the shortest. 1 



As the toes are nearly always armed with large, strong, 

 curved, and sharp claws (see Fig. 94), the ungual phalanges 



FIG. 94. The phalanges of the middle digit of the manus of the Lion (Fclis leo), -'. 

 pk~\- proximal phalanx ; p/i 2 middle phalanx ; pJfi ungual phalanx ; a the central 

 portion forming the internal support to the horny claw ; <Jthe hony lamina reflected 

 around the base of the claw. 



(pfc) are large, strongly compressed, and pointed, and they 

 develop from their base a broad thin lamina of bone (//), 



1 The fissiped Carnivora have been divided into two groups, accord- 

 ing to the position of the feet in walking the Plantigrade, or those 

 that place the whole of the palmar and plantar surface to the ground ; 

 and the Digitigrade, or those that walk only upon the phalanges, the 

 metacarpals and metatarsals being vertical and in a line with the fore- 

 arm or leg. This distinction, however, is quite an artificial one, and 

 every intermediate condition exists between the extreme typical planti- 

 grade gait of the bears and the true digitigrade action of the cats and 

 dogs. In fact, the greater number of the Carnivora belong to neither 

 of these groups, but maybe called " subplantigrade," often, when at 

 rest, applying the whole of the sole to the ground, but keeping the heel 

 raised to a greater or less extent when walking. 



