1/6 CARNIVORA. 



any important variation, and seems to form a link between the Felidae 

 and Canida;. The Cats present a wonderful combinatioii of suppleness, 

 agilit}-, and strength ; the head is round, the neck and jaws powerful, 

 and the limbs muscular. The canine and lacerator teeth are large 

 and strong; compared with them tlie incisors are insignificant, and 

 even the molar teeth, which have ceased to be grinders, appear weak 

 and inconsiderable. The tongue Is thick and flesh}-, and armed with 

 spines that curve backward. But the teeth are not the onl}' weapons 

 of attack possessed by the cats ; they possess in their claws a terrible 

 weapon wherewith to seize their prey or hold the struggling victim 

 while the pointed teeth are doing their work. The foot appefirs short, 

 because the last joint is curved upwards so that it does not touch the 

 ground, an arrangement which, ensures perfect safety to the curved and 

 pointed claws. These claws have an additional safeguard in being 

 retractile, or capable of being withdrawn into a sheath. A little obser- 

 vation of the foot-prints of a cat in comparison with that of a dog will 

 show how complete a protection Nature affords to these powerful and 

 delicate instruments. The cats walk well, but slowly, cautiously, and 

 silently , they can run rapidly, and make springs ten or fifteen times the 

 length of their body. The larger species are too heavy to be good 

 climbers, but the majority are expert in the art. Although they have 

 a repugnance to water, they can swim well, and are exceedingly difficult 

 to drown. The tenacity of life in all species is proverbial. 



Their senses of hearing and sight are highly developed ; it is the 

 former which guides them on their hunting expeditions. They hear at 

 great distances the lightest footfall, or the gentlest rustle. Their sight, 

 though less developed, is excellent ; they probably cannot see far, but sec 

 well all that is in their range. In the smaller species the eyeball is con- 

 tractile ; in the bright light of day the aperture of the iris contracts into 

 a mere slit, at night it dilates to a full circle. The whiskers which pro- 

 ject on each side of the face seem to be instruments of touch. The cats 

 all seem remarkably sensitive to all external influences, and are very 

 careful to keep their fur clean. Their senses of taste and smell do not 

 seem highly developed: the latter, indeed, is quite subordinate, if we 

 may judge from the delight they exhibit in strong smelling plants, such 

 as Valeria n. 



The Felidas are found in all parts of the Old and New Worlds, with 

 the exception of Australia and Madagascar. They live in the most 



