THE CATS. TI 
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 ( Viverride), Hyznas (Hyenide), 
and the Aard-Wolf (Prote/eide), the Cats present certain pecu- 
liarities connected with the structure of the skull by which 
they are distinguished from the other Carnivora, the Dogs 
(Canidz) 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 Hyzenas, 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 tke auditory meas, 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. 
Asa 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 
