Skull of Black Bear 



Showing Carnivorous Dentition. 



ables the animal to bite off and masticate food. The 

 section of the skull which carries the brain, eyes and 

 ears, is called the CRANIUM. The section in front is 

 called the FACE. 



The Vertebral Column, or SPINAL COLUMN, is 

 made up of a number of separate bones called VERTE- 

 BRAE. The Vertebrae are articulated together in such 

 a way as to permit a degree of flexibility and, at the 

 same time, to impart a rigidity which gives the neces- 

 sary strength to the Spinal Column, or Backbone. The 

 function of the Backbone is two-fold: (1) to support 

 the main part of the body and to afford attachment for 

 the limbs and tail; (2) to hold and protect the Spinal 

 Cord, which is the central axis of the Nervous System. 

 While the Vertebrae differ greatly in form and ap- 

 pearance, particularly in the region of the Neck, they 

 are, nevertheless, constructed on the same general plan. 



The body of each Vertebra is called the CENTRUM 

 and the Centra are separated by discs of CARTILAGE or 



