80 VERTEBRATA : MAMMALIA. 



SUB-SECTION IY. 

 THE ORDER OF CARXIVORA OR FLESH-EATERS. 



THE mammalia which compose this Order feed wholly or 

 mainly upon flesh; and, with few exceptions, they capture 

 the animals upon which they feed. They are distinguished 

 from all other animals not only by their general appear- 

 ance, but especially by their sharp teeth, sharp claws, and 

 by their internal digestive apparatus. 



The Carnivora have teeth of three kinds, and all of their 

 teeth are covered with enamel. They have normally six 

 incisors in each jaw, the lateral ones being the largest; a 

 stout canine in each side of both jaws, just behind the in- 



FIG. 80 



Teeth of a carnivorous animal. 



cisors ; and a variable number of molars which are wholly 

 trenchant, or in part with tuberculous crowns. Thus the 

 molars of the Carnivora are not properly grinding teeth, 

 but those in the upper and lower jaws shut by each other 

 so as to cut the flesh of the prey like a pair of shears. 

 The stomach of the Carnivora is simple, and the intes- 



