CARNIVORA: CATS. 81 



tines relatively very short, thus perfectly adapted to their 

 easily digestible food, which, as we have just stated, is the 

 flesh of other animals. 



The legs of the Carnivora have the proximal joints, that 

 is, the joints nearest the body as the upper ones of the 

 1mm eras and femur more or less covered by the general 

 integument of the body ; and the clavicles are imperfect 

 or wholly wanting in this order. 



The forms of the Carnivora are various, and each dis- 

 tinct typical form may be taken as the type of a distinct 

 family. A few of the leading representatives may now 

 be briefly noticed.* 



Of all the Carnivora, the Cats or Felidos are the most 

 dexterous and rapid in their movements, and are endowed 

 with the keenest senses, and are the most rapacious and 

 formidable. In a word, they are typical Carnivora; that 

 is, they are types or best representatives of the whole 

 order. Their head is short and broad, the teeth and claws 

 excessively sharp, and the latter are concealed in a sheath 

 while the animal is walking or at rest, but are instantly 

 thrust forth when occasion requires their use. The tongue 

 is covered with sharp prickles pointing backwards ; the 

 number of mature teeth is twenty-eight or thirty, and the 



* The Caruivora are often spoken of as comprising three great groups, 

 the classification being based on their means and modes of progression, 

 thus : 



1. DIGITIGRADES, from the Latin digit us, a finger, and gradi, to walk ; or 

 those which walk on the toes without touching the heel to the ground, as 

 the Cats, Hyenas, Dogs, Weasels, etc. 



2. PLANTIGRADES, from the Latin planta, the sole of the foot, and gradi, 

 to walk ; or those which in walking place the sole of the foot flat upon the 

 ground, as Raccoons, Bears, etc. 



3. PINNIGRADES, from the Latin pinna, a fin, and gradi, to walk ; or those 

 which progress by means of fin-like paddles, as the Seals and the Walrus. 

 They are often called Phmipedia. 



4* 



