FELID^E; 



OR, THE CAT TRIBE. 



HE beautiful and terrible animals which are known by the general name of the 

 Cat Tribe, now engage our attention. 



With the exception of one or two of the enigmatical creatures which are 

 found in every group of beings, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral, the Cats, 

 or FELED^E as they are more learnedly termed, are as distinct an order as the 

 monkeys or the bats. Pre-eminently carnivorous in their diet, and destructive 

 in their mode of obtaining food, their bodily form is most exquisitely adapted 

 to carry out the instincts which are implanted in their nature. 



All the members of the cat tribe are light, stealthy, and silent of foot, quick of ear and 

 eye, and swift of attack. Most of them are possessed of the power of climbing trees or rocks, 

 but some few species, such as the Lion, are devoid of 

 this capability. 



The teeth of the exclusively carnivorous animals 

 are always of a form w r hich permits them to seize and 

 tear their prey, but does not give them the power of 

 masticating their food after the manner of the vege- 

 table feeders. We are all familiar with the mode in 

 which the domestic cat consumes her food, whether 

 it be a piece of butchers' meat which is given to her 

 by the hand of man, or a mouse which she has cap- 

 tured by her own paws. Instead of the grinding 

 process which is employed by monkeys and other 

 creatures whose teeth are fitted for grinding their 

 food, the cat tears the meat into conveniently sized 



morsels, and then eats the food by a series of pecking bites. The annexed engraving of a 

 Lion's teeth and jaws will explain the reason for this mode of action. 



In the accompanying figure the mechanism of the claw 

 is exhibited. 



When the animal is at rest, the upper tendons draw 

 the claw backwards, so that it is lifted entirely from the 

 ground, and the weight of the body rests only on the soft 

 pads which stud the under surface of the foot. But when 

 the creature becomes excited, and thrusts out its paw for 

 the purpose of striking a blow, or clutching at its prey, 

 the upper tendons become relaxed, while the lower ten- 

 dons are tightened, and the claw is thrown boldly forward, 

 sharp and ready for either use. 



The claw which is represented is that of the Lion, 

 but the mechanism is common to all the true cats. 



Another curious structure is common to the group of feline animals ; and as the 

 Lion seems to be their most perfect representative, the example has been ta,ken from that 

 animal. 



Every one who cares for cats, and who in consequence is cared for by those graceful 



JAWS AND TEETH OP LION. 



CLAW OP LION. 



