24 VERTEBRATES I MAMMALS. 



the incisors, and a variable number of molars, which are 

 wholly trenchant, or in part with tuberculous crowns. 

 Thus the molars of Carnivora are not properly grind- 

 ing teeth, but they cut the prey like a pair of shears. 

 These animals are so much the more exclusively car- 

 nivorous as their teeth are more completely trenchant ; 

 and the relative proportions of their vegetable or ani- 

 mal food may be calculated from the extent of the tu- 

 berculous surfaces of the teeth as compared with the 

 portion which is trenchant. The clavicles of Carnivora 

 are imperfect or wholly wanting ; the stomach is simple, 

 and intestines short, perfectly adapted to their easily- 

 digestible food. The Carnivora are found all over the 

 globe, and two hundred to three hundred species have 

 been described. They are divided into seven families, 

 the Felidae or Cat Family, Hyenadae or Hyena Fam- 

 ily, Canidae or Dog Family, Viverridae or Civet Family 

 Mustelidae or Weasel Family, Ursidae or Bear Family, 

 and the Phocidae or Seal Family. 



FELID.E, OR CAT FAMILY. This Family comprises 

 the Carnivora which are the most dexterous and rapid in 

 their movements, and endowed with the keenest senses, 

 and which are the most rapacious and formidable. The 

 head is short and broad, the teeth and claws excessively 

 sharp, and the latter are concealed in a sheath while the 

 animal is walking or at rest, but are instantly thrust forth 

 when occasion requires their use. The tongue is covered 

 with sharp prickles pointing backwards ; the number o( 

 mature teeth is twenty-eight or thirty, and the dental for- 

 mula is, incisors , canines ^, premolars and molars ^ 

 or |J The feet are digitigrade, with five toes before and 

 four behind. The soles are densely hairy, with naked 

 pads on the ball of the foot and under each toe. The 

 cushion-like nature of the bottoms of their feet enables 

 these animals noiselessly to approach their prey, which 

 hey seize by a sudden spring. 



