488 



THE CAT. 



[CHAP. xiir. 



The FELID^E differ from the VIVERRID^E, in that in the FelidcB : 



(1) The head is more rounded ; 



(2) The limhs are generally longer in proportion to the trunk ; 



(3) The claws are generally more completely retractile ; 



(4) The teeth are more sectorial, and the premolars and 



tubercular molars are fewer, there being never more than 

 one tubercular molar (an upper one) in any living species ; 



(5) There are no conspicuous scent-glands ; 



(6) There is no ali-sphenoid canal save in certain extinct genera ; 



(7) The division of the bulla is hardly perceptible exteriorly, 



while the two chambers into which it is internally divided 

 are not placed one quite behind the other ; 



(8) The carotid foramen is always very small, and the carotid 



canal indistinct, except in some extinct genera ; 



00 



Fig. 208. SECTION OF THE AUDITORY BULLA OF THE TIGER (Flower). 



am. Meatus auditorius externus. 

 BO. Basi-occipital, 

 e. Eustachian canal. 

 i c. The inner chambers, 

 o c. The outer chamber. 



* The aperture of communication between the 



chambers. 

 Pt, Petrosal. 

 A Septum. 

 Sq. Squamosa 



(9) The par-occipital process (though applied to the bulla) may, 



in large species, develope a marked process ; 

 (10) The meatus auditorius externus is never medianly fissured 

 below. 



The FELIDJE differ from the HYJENIDJE in that : 



(1) Their head is more rounded ; 



(2) Their claws are retractile ; 



(3) The body does not droop so much posteriorly ; 



(4) The teeth are more perfectly sectorial in form ; 



(5) The premolars are less numerous ; 



