82 MAMMALIA. 



different generic groups, however, maintain their integrity. Macroscelides and Tupaia are the 

 least conformable with the others ; but neither are these much removed in tbeir more essential 

 characters. As a whole, they compose a very natural and appreciable division, and our author 

 assigns them a rank equivalent to the Cheiroptera on the one hand, and to the Carni- 

 vora, comprising his Plantigrada, Digitigrada, and Amphibia, on the other. 



Remains of three species of Sorex, one of Talpu, and one of Erinaceus, have been lound in 

 the European Tertiary deposits, apparently referable to species still in existence. The present 

 range of the division does not extend to South America* nor Australia, where, however, it 

 appears to be adequately represented by the numerous small Mursupiata, peculiar to those 

 regions; a curious fact, first noticed by Waterhcuse, and since by De Blainville.] 



THE THIRD FAMILY OF CARNARIA. 



CARNIYORA. 



Although the designation carnivorous is applicable to all unguiculated Mammalia, except 

 the Quadrnmana, which have three sorts of teeth, inasmuch as they all subsist more or less on 

 animal matter, there are nevertheless many, more especially of the two preceding families, 

 which are reduced by the feebleness and the conical tubercles of their grinders to prey almost 

 entirely on insects. In th present family, the sanguinary appetite is combined with the force 

 necessary for its gratification. There are aiways four stout and long separated canines, 

 between which are six incisors to each jaw, of which the second inferior are inserted a little 

 more inward than the rest. The molars are either wholly cutting, or have some blunted 

 tuberculous parts, but they are never studded with sharp conical projections. 



These animals are the more exclusively carnivorous, in proportion as their teeth are more 

 completely trenchant or cutting, so that the degree of admixture of their regimen may be 

 almost calculated from the extent of the tube culous surface of their teeth, as compared with 

 the cutting portion. The Bears, which can live altogether on vegetables, have nearly all their 

 teeth tuberculated. 



The anterior molars are the most trenchant ; next follows a molar, larger than the others, 

 which has usually a tuberculous projection, differing in size ; and then follow one or two 

 smaller teeth, that are entirely flat. It is with these small hindward teeth that the Dog chews 

 the herbage that he sometimes swallows. We will call, with M. F. Cuvier, this large upper 

 molar, and its corresponding one below, carnivorous teeth ; the anterior pointed ones, false 

 molars, and the posterior blunt ones, tuberculous molars. 



It is easy to conceive that the genera which have fewer false molars, and of which the jaws 

 are shorter, are consequently better adapted for biting. 



Upon these differences the genera can be most surely established. 



The consideration of the hind-foot, however, must also be attended to. 



Several genera, like those of the two preceding families, in walking, place the whole sole of the 

 foot on the ground, a circumstance [generally] indicated by the absence of hair on all that part.f 



Others, and by far the greater number, rest on only the ends of the toes, elevating the tarse. 

 Their gait is more rapid, and to this primary difference are added many others of habit, and 

 even of internal conformation. In both, the clavicle is a mere bony rudiment suspended in 

 the muscles. 



The Plantigrada 



Constitute this first tribe, which walk on the whole sole of the foot, a circumstance which gives 

 them greater facility of standing upright upon their hind-feet. They partake of the slowness 



* Sore* trUtriatui of some of the old authors is a true Diilelphts. j with hair: the same is observable in some Martens i while others '>f 



p^ this genus have the sole altogether naked. — Ed. 



t In the Polar Bear, and Panda, the sole is completely coveivd | 



