PELIDJE. I. 15 



b. Molars f-lf or fif; no foramen (as in the next); tail 



usually long and hairy ; (squirrels, etc.) ScruKiiXE, 10. 



&6. Molars f if- to f/f- ; zygomatic process of upper jaw with 



a foramen ; (rats and mice). . . MURIIXE, 14. 



f f Fur with stiff spine-like bristles ; toes with long, curved 



Claws SPALACOPODnX<E, 15. 



** Incisors f ; the middle upper incisors large, grooved, the outer 

 ones small; teeth 28; tail very short; ears long. 



LEPORIIXE, 16. 



F. FAMILIES OF MARSUPIALIA. 



* Tail long, prehensile, nearly naked ; feet plantigrade ; incisors 

 |vf ; teeth 50 DIDELPHEDID^, 17 



OEDEE A.-CAEJSTIVOEA. 



(The Flesh-Eaters or Ferce.) 



FAMILY I. FELID^E. 



(The Cats.} 



Digitigrade Garni vora with the toes 5-4; claws com- 

 pressed, very sharp, retractile; palms and soles hairy, 

 with naked pads under each toe and the b all of the foot. 

 Body compact; head short, broad and rounded. Dentition 

 i. f:|; c. \\\\ pm. f;| or f if ; m. |-|z=30 or 28; canine teeth 

 long and sharp ; teeth all strongly trenchant; tongue with 

 short, retrorse papillae. General aspect cat-like. A well- 

 known group comprising about fifty species, found in all 

 parts of the world excepting Australia and its islands. 



* Premolars -f if , anterior upper one very small ; tail at least half 

 as long as the body (exclusive of head and neck) ; fur compact 

 and glossy; ears not tufted FELIS, 1. 



** Premolars f'f, (anterior upper one wanting); tail less than 

 half length of body proper ; ears triangular, tufted. LYNX, 2. 



