76 



NATURAL HISTORY OP 



wedges, and being comparatively thin, require little 

 power to be exerted to cut into any substance. The 

 structure of the joint of the jaw assists this pro- 

 perty ; it is so constructed as to be incapable of a 

 lateral motion, and the whole strength of the muscles 

 is thus exerted in a perpendicular or cutting direction. 

 The strength of the muscles employed in this action 

 is prodigious, and some idea maybe formed of it by in- 

 specting the markings upon the accompanying cut of 

 the skull of the jaguar, and the great spaces which 

 are allowed for their action. In addition to these 

 implements for tearing and cutting their food, may 

 be noticed the surface of the tongue, which is covered 

 with numerous horny papillae, having the points di- 

 rected backwards, and whose effect may be observed, 

 when a lion or any large animal of the tribe is licking 

 a bone, which is too powerful for his strong jaws 

 to break. It is suited more for laceration, anu 



