XXIV THE MAMMALS OF INDIA. 



It is composed of two very distinct orders, that of Quadrumana, 

 i.e , the four-handed, comprising Monkeys and Lemurs, in most of 

 which there is a thumb or opposable finger on the foot ; and Cheir- 

 optera, i.e., hand-winged, the Bats, which have the forearm and 

 hand extended into an organ of flight. The remaining groups of 

 perfect-toothed animals have two kinds of hair, in variable amount, 

 and were named Secundates by Blainville. They are likewise divi- 

 sible into two orders. The first is the Carnivora, or beast of prey, 

 the most typical of the two, and distinguished by powerful canines 

 and trenchant molars, which are never studded with sharp points, 

 and the clavicle is generally imperfect. The other order is that of 

 Insectivora, a group of small Mammals, having their molar teeth 

 studded with sharp points to bruise their insect prey, and they usually 

 have a greater number of teeth than the Carnivora. They all possess 

 clavicles. 



The Diplodontia present much greater differences of aspect and 

 structure than the more perfect group, and it is only as a matter of 

 convenience that they are grouped together. One order, which, like 

 the preceding orders, has claws, or is unguiculate, possesses two chisel- 

 shaped teeth in front of each jaw, no apparent canines, and a small 

 number of flattened molars. This is the Rodentia, or Gnawers, 

 comprising Rats and Squirrels, &c. Another order, likewise with 

 claws, which are large and fossorial, or capable of digging, but 

 partially enclosing the toes and somewhat hoof-like, is distinguished 

 by the total absence of the incisors and canine teeth, and in some 

 of all the teeth. It is called Edentata, or Toothless. Such are the 

 Ant-eaters and Armadillos. 



All the remaining animals of this group have the toes more or 

 less joined together, and ending in a hoof, which is single and 

 solid in the Horse, double or sulcate in the Deer and Pig, in three 

 divisions in the Rhinoceros, in four unsymmetrical parts in the 

 Hippopotamus, and with five hoof-like nails terminating the pad 

 of the Elephant. These form the Ungulata of some writers, and 

 are usually divided into the Ruminantia, or Ruminants, and the 

 Paciiydermata, or thick-skinned Mammals. The former is a very 

 natural group, and comprises all that chew the cud— Deer, Cattle, 



