

CARNIVORA. 151 



others, commonly furnished with a tuberculous heel, 

 more or less extensive, and behind this tooth there 

 are one or two smaller, entirely flat. It is with 

 these last that dogs masticate herbs, which they 

 sometimes swallow. The great molar here men- 

 tioned, both in the upper and lower jaws, is called 

 the carnassial ; those before it with points, premo- 

 lars, or false molars, and those behind it tubercular 

 teeth. 



Those genera which are least provided with false 

 or premolar teeth, and whose jaws are the shortest, 

 have naturally the greatest power in biting; this 

 offers the most certain indication for establishing 

 the genera ; but it is further necessary to take 

 notice of the hind foot. Several, like in the last 

 described orders, rest the sole of the whole hind foot 

 upon the ground while walking, or when sitting up, 

 which habit is readily ascertained by the absence 

 of fur on the surface so applied : other, and more 

 numerous genera, walk entirely on toes, keeping the 

 tarsus elevated; they move with greater rapidity, 

 and this first marked distinction is accompanied by 

 many others, in the habits and in the internal con- 

 formation of the animals. Both, however, have 

 only rudimerital clavicles suspended in the muscles. 

 Of the genera whose locomotion is on the toes, 

 some, like the dogs, have their claws unmoveable ; 

 others, such as cats, have them retractile ; and the 

 seal tribes have the hinder extremities fettered, the 

 feet palmated, and a dentition, not in strict accord- 

 ance with the general characters of the order. 



