PHENOMENA OF CONVERGENCE. 25 



upon the very first examination of the teeth, proved 

 to be flesh-eaters. Now the teeth of the modern 

 flesh-eaters are characterised by being definitely 

 separated, and by the peculiar formation of the 

 incisors, the canines, and the molars. The canines 

 above and below and on either side of the jaw are 

 powerful weapons, and admirable instruments for 

 tearing off flesh and for the gnawing and the 

 breaking up of bones. They separate the incisors 

 from the molars in a distinctive manner. 



In the case of the above-mentioned South 

 African reptiles also, the teeth, which from their 

 position we know to have been incisors, are sepa- 

 rated from the molars by a large canine tooth. The 

 lower one rises in front of the upper one, yet when 

 the mouth is closed ifc lies close to the inside of the 

 upper jaw. The molars are certainly small and 

 cone-shaped ; however, when drawing a comparison 

 we can recall similar instances of this in seals. 

 Owen, to whom we owe the description of these, in 

 any case, very remarkable animals, also draws 

 attention to the formation of the upper part of the 

 arm, which, apart from the difference in the form- 

 ation of the extremity of the upper joint, shows an 

 approximation to the cat-type in the construction 

 of the extremity of the lower joint, for the ulna 



