256 



BRANCH YERTEBRATA. 



they are retractile, i. e., the upper tendons of the toes 

 hold them back without any exertion of the will. Rest- 

 ing upon its soft, padded feet, and with its claws 

 sheathed, the animal steals noiselessly toward its prey. 

 As the fatal spring is made, the lower muscles suddenly 

 contract, and, drawing the claws forward, bury their 

 sharp points in the victim's flesh. The tongue is cov- 

 ered with innumerable little hooks pointing backward. 



PIG. 444. 



FIG. 445. 



Claws Sheathed. 

 Claws Extended. 



Tongue of a Carnivorous Animal. 

 (Highly magnified.) 



These are for rasping the bones which it gnaws for 

 food, and beautifully illustrate the economy of Nature, 

 which allows no waste. The whiskers on the upper lip 

 are of great service to the animal while skulking about 

 in the darkness, seeking its food. They equal the body 

 in width, and by indicating the breadth of any opening, 

 warn it from attempting too close a bush, and thus 

 causing a rustle which might alarm its prey. 



The Civet (siv'et) has semi-retractile claws. It is also 

 characterized by a double pouch, secreting a fatty sub- 



