THE CATS. IT 



relatively short. The full and large eyes, which are separated 

 from each other by a considerable interval, are directed almost 

 immediately forwards. The ears are comparatively small and 

 short, gradually narrowing from base to tip, and with the deep 

 internal concavity directed forwards and outwards. 



In common with the Civets ( Viverridce), Hyaenas (Hy(Bnidce\ 

 and the Aard-Wolf (Proteleidce), the Cats present certain pecu- 

 liarities connected with the structure of the skull by which 

 they are distinguished from the other Carnivora, the Dogs 

 [Canidm) making the nearest approach to them in this respect. 

 In all these four Families the chamber of the internal ear 

 known as the auditory bulla is dilated into a thin bladder-like 

 expansion, which, except in the Hyaenas, is divided into two 

 moieties by a vertical partition of bone. In addition to this, 

 the tube leading from this chamber to the external ear, and 

 known as the auditory meatus, is remarkably short. There 

 are other peculiarities connected with this part of the skull, 

 the consideration of which would involve too many technical- 

 ities for a work of the present nature. 



As a Family the Cats, both recent and fossil, are distinguished 

 by the strong development of the canine teeth, or tusks; by the 

 number of upper molar teeth never exceeding one, and the 

 lower two on each side of the jaws ; and, likewise, by the three 

 lower incisor teeth of each side being placed in the same hori- 

 zontal line, instead of the middle one being thrust up above 

 the plane of the other two. If we exclude certain extinct 

 forms, the Family may be further characterised by the following 

 characters, mainly relating to the dentition. Both in the upper 

 and lower jaws, the true molar teeth are reduced to a single 

 pair, the former being a small flat functionless tooth, with its 

 crown considerably wider than long, while the lower one is 

 the carnassial. In the lower jaw, as shown in the accom- 

 panying figure, the pre-molars are reduced to two pairs. The 



