CHAP, xiii.] THE CAT'S PLACE IN NATURE. 491 



and, above all, Arch&lurus, as also for specialized aberrant forms, 

 of which JEusmihis and Machcerodus smilodon afford us excellent 

 examples. Finally, as the expression of the typical or fully-developed 

 normal form of the cat's family, we have the species which go to 

 make up the maneless cats of the typical genus Felis, of which Fclis 

 catus will stand as a very good example. 



But if the cat is thus the typical genus of its family, in what 

 relation may its family be said to stand to the other families of its 

 order thus considered ? Of all the families of that order, the dog's 

 family, Canida, seems to be the most generalized aberrant one. For 

 while it possesses the general characters of its order without carrying 

 them to an intense degree, it shows certain resemblances to forms 

 outside its order.* 



The bears, on the other hand, are specialized aberrant forms, as 

 they depart from the normal standard of the order in a special 

 direction of their own, as also do the otters and several other forms 

 of Carnivora.f 



As to the mass of the Mustilidse and Yiverrida?, they may be 

 considered to be normally generalized carnivores, since they possess 

 the ordinary carnivorous characters moderately developed. It is not 

 easy to point out any certainly normally specialized families any 

 family, that is, which has the characters of the order in an intense 

 degree, but developed, as it were, in a one-sided manner. Such 

 characters seem only present in certain exceptional Felidce, such as 

 Machcerodus and Eusmilus. If so, then the Felidce, as a whole, 

 must be held to be the typical family of the whole order ; for they 

 carry the carnivorous type of structure to an intense degree, but one 

 which is in the direct line of development which the order Carnivora 

 has followed. Carnivorous beasts generally have sharp claws, often 

 more or less retractile, but none have them so perfectly developed in 

 these respects as have the cats. Almost all carnivorous beasts have 

 teeth more or less well adapted for killing prey and cutting flesh, but 

 none have their teeth so admirably adapted for these purposes as 

 have the cats. The cats are then carnivora par excellence, and they 

 carry out the type of their order to its highest-known and most 

 perfectly harmonious expression. 



But the cats are not only such highly- developed Carnivora. Some- 

 thing may also be said in favour of their being the highest of mam- 

 mals the very flower and culmination of the mammalian animal 

 tree. 



Spontaneous activity and sensitiveness are the special characteristics 

 of animal life, and with both these powers the cats are largely endowed. 

 We have recognized the perfection of their organs of movement, and 

 that of the very substance of their bones and muscles, as well as the 

 great perfection of their special senses. It may be objected, how- 

 ever, that the activities and sense perceptions of certain other beasts 



* E.g., to certain marsupials. I leptcs], the binturong (Arctitis), and also 



t Such as e.g. the kinkajou (Ccrco- \ Proteks. 



