CARNIVORA. 191 



all modern classification. If, in attempting a natural 

 system, considerations of dentition were alone to be 

 the rigorous elements of construction, no question 

 ^ould be raised on the subject; but the laws of 

 general anatomical structure, although never in real 

 opposition to the dentition of species, in many cases 

 demand and obtain predominant influence, and, we 

 apprehend, should be allowed greater weight than 

 they appear to have, where they are to be viewed 

 solely as confined to locomotion, even in that degree 

 of difference which exists between the Digitigrade 

 and Plantigrade Mammalia ; because we find prac- 

 tically, that minor modifications in the teeth, such 

 as occur among the Plantigrade mverridce, keep 

 the several genera so circumstanced, in a location 

 between the Canidce and Felidce by the side 01 

 Digitigrades with and without retractile claws, even 

 though all the preponderant characteristics of struc- 

 ture assimilate them with the analogues of Ursidce, 

 and yet without disturbing the harmony with the 

 masticatory combinations. The teeth, therefore, to 

 a certain degree, are, in their minor modifications, 

 subordinate to more important organs ; and where 

 the predominance is demonstrated, we submit the 

 ordination of systematic connection should be taken 

 from it. Now, appplying this maxim to the three 

 carnassier families of Canidce, Felidce, and Ursidce, 

 we find that they have each one great and predo- 

 minant feature of general structure, to which the 

 teeth are subservient rather than sole, or even prin- 



