745 



FELID^E. 



FELID^E. 



746 



No. 288 is a toe from the right hind foot of a lion, with the last 

 phalanx drawn out, and the elastic ligaments put on the stretch. 

 As the phalanges of the hind foot are retracted in a different 

 direction to those of the fore foot, that is, directly upon and not by 

 the side of the second phalanx, the elastic ligaments are differently 

 disposed, as may be seen by comparing this with the preceding 

 preparation. The outer ligament is of a flattened triangular form ; 

 it arises from the whole outer side of the middle phalanx, is strongest 

 at the anterior margin, and is inserted at the superior angle of the 

 last phalanx : the inner ligament is of a rounded form, arises from 

 the inner side and distal end of the second phalanx, and is also 

 inserted at the superior angle of the last phalanx, which is necessarily 

 drawn back in the diagonal of the elastic forces. No. 288 A is the 

 innermost toe or pollex of the right fore foot of a young lioness, 

 exhibiting a disposition of the elastic ligaments and mode of retraction 

 similar to the toes of the hind foot ; but here the inner ligament is 

 of the flattened triangular form, and the outer one rounded. The 

 latter passes between a division in the extensor tendon, one part of 

 which is inserted in the base of the last phalanx just above the 

 articulation ; the other part into the outer side of the base of the 

 phalanx, and into the integument. (' Catalogue, Physiological Series, 

 Gallery," vol. i.) " It seems scarcely necessary," adds the able author 

 of the foregoing description, " to allude to the final intention of these 

 beautiful structures, which are, with some slight modifications, 

 common to the genus Felia. The claws being thus retracted within 

 folds of the integument, are preserved constantly sharp, and ready 

 for their destined functions, not being blunted and worn away in the 

 ordinary progressive motions of the animal ; while at the same time, 

 as soft parts only are brought in contact with the ground, this 

 circumstance contributes to the noiseless tread of the feline tribe." 

 ('Gallery.') 



Fig. 1. 



fig. 



Hind foot. 



Structure of the apparatus for retracting and extending the claws of the Cuts, 

 as exemplified in the fore foot and hind foot of the lion. 



The elastic ligaments which retain the last phalanx and claw in a 

 state of retraction are not the same in the fore and hind foot. 



In fig 1, which is a toe from the left fore foot of a young lion, 

 represented in a state of extensions, a points to the two elastic liga- 

 ments ; l>, the tendon of the extensor muscle ; e, a process of inelastic 

 tendon ; d, the tendon of the flexor muscle, which passes over the 

 II|.|MT extremity of the last phalanx at e, as over a pulley, and thus 

 assist* the powerful action of that muscle. 



In fy 2, a toe from the hind foot, the two elastic ligaments (a) 

 converge to be inserted into the upper angle of the last phalnnx, and 



draw it backwards directly upon, instead of by the side, of the 

 penultimate phalanx ; c is a process of lateral inelastic tendon ; and 

 d the tendon of the flexor profundus, which is strongly strapped 

 down by an annular ligament, e. 



The claw is supported on the last phalanx, which is of a very 

 peculiar form. Its two portions are united to each other at nearly 

 right angles. The base of the claw is received into a groove in the 

 body of the bone, to prevent its being pushed backwards in the 

 violent action of the paws. The two parts of the bone form a species 

 of hook or crotchet. The superior end of the phalanx in this state 

 of repose is placed almost vertically ; while the other extremity lies 

 nearly parallel to the second. The articulation is at the tipper end 

 of the vertical portion, and the flexor tendons, passing over the 

 upper part of the bone, are strongly fixed to the other portion. 

 The action of the flexor profundus causes the whole bone to move 

 through 90 degrees round the end of the second phalanx. (Dr. 

 Traill.) 



Having laid before the reader the mechanism of the parts more 

 immediately concerned iu the capture of the prey and the separation 

 of its flesh, we must notice another organ which in the Cats is used 

 for other purposes than those of mere taste and deglutition. The 

 roughness of a domestic cat's tongue is familiar to every one, as 

 well as the action of lions and tigers in licking the bones of their 

 prey in order to detach any remnants of flesh that may be adhering 

 thereto. This is effected by numerous horny papilla;, which are 

 differently arranged in different species, some having them in straight 

 rows, others in alternate lines; but in all the points are directed 

 backwards. In the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons are 

 preparations well illustrating the structure of the tongue in these 

 animals. No. 1509 exhibits the tongue and larynx of a young lion 

 injected. The tongue is of considerable length, in consequence of 

 the distance at which the larynx and os hyoides are placed behind 

 the bony palate. The soft palate is of a proportional extent. All 

 that part of the tongue which corresponds to the soft palate is 

 smooth ; as it advances forwards it is covered with large soft papilla; 

 directed backwards; then there are four large fossulate papilla;, 

 anterior to which the simple conical papilla; continue increasing in 

 size to near the tip of the tongue : the strong cuticular spines with 

 which they are armed have been removed, showing the vascular 

 secreting surface beneath. With the larynx there are preserved 

 the thyroid glands and part of the wide trachea. No. 1510 is a 

 portion of the cuticular covering of the smaller posterior conical 

 papillae, from the preceding tongue. No. 1511 shows a portion of 

 the cuticular covering of the anterior papilla} of the same tongue. 

 At the fore p#rt of the base of each of the larger spines may be 

 observed a group of small gustatory papilla;. No. 1512 is the 

 extremity of the tongue of a lion, with the cuticular covering of 

 the papilla; removed from one side ; and No. 1513 is the anterior 

 part of the tongue of a lion, with the cuticular and spiny covering 

 of the papilla) preserved. ('Catalogue, Physiological Series, Gallery ,' 

 voL iii.) 



Portion of Llon*g Tongue, showing the horny papilltc. 

 From the specimen in the College of Surgeons. 



Professor Owen remarks, that in the Cats generally the connection 

 of the os hyoides with the cranium is not by a long elastic ligament, 

 as in the lion, but by an uninterrupted series of bones, and that this 

 latter structure exists in the Cheetah (Felia jubota). 



This leads us to the other digestive organs. In the Felidcc the salivary 

 glands are small, as might be expected where it can hardly be said 

 that mastication is exercised. The stomach of the lion is divided, 

 by a slight contraction in its middle, into two portions. Its coats, 

 particularly the muscular coat, are very strong, as in most of the 

 Carnimra. Blumenbach observes, that in most carnivorous quadru- 

 peds, particularly those of a rapacious nature, the stomach bears a 

 considerable resemblance on the whole to that of the human subject. 

 Mr. Lawrence, in his notes, remarks, that the food of carnivorous 

 animals approaching in its constituent elements more nearly to those 



