68 CARNIVORA. 



caecum in some, but totally wanting in others. The liver is usually deeply 

 lobed, especially in the Cat tribe. The cerebellum is almost wholly un- 

 covered, but the optic thalami are concealed. The organ of hearing is 

 well developed, and the organ of smell extensive ; the upper and lower 

 turbinated bones being complicated, and covered by pituitary membrane. 

 The tongue of the Cat and Civet tribe is rough, with horny papillae. 

 There is a scrotum in some ; the penis is sheathed and turned backwards 

 in some ; it contains a bone in most (except the Hyaenas), and in many 

 the female clitoris also has one. The uterus is two-horned. The teats 

 are abdominal, and vary from four to ten in number. 



Many possess peculiar organs, secreting an odorous or fetid substance, 

 in some round the anus ; in others between the anus and the tail ; in a 

 few between the anus and the genital organs. 



In the most active of the order, the bones of the hands and feet are so 

 connected with those above them, as to form a continuous line with them, 

 and the animal rests upon the points of the toes; these are called Digiti- 

 grade. In others, a portion of the sole of the hind feet is applied to the 

 ground in walking, hence called Semi-plantigrade; whilst in others, the 

 hands and feet are so united with the bones above them that the animal 

 bears upon its palms and soles, and are hence called Plantigrade. Certain 

 aquatic species (the Seals) have all the feet short, and expanded into 

 broad webbed paddles. These are called Pinnigrade ; and they approach 

 the Bears in various parts of their anatomy. 



In conformity with these distinctions the Carnivora are here divided into 

 the tribes Plantigrada, Sub-plantigrada, Digitigrada, and Pinnigrada. 



Tribe PLANTIGKADA. 



Walk on the whole sole of the foot. Five toes to each foot. No caecum. 



Most are nocturnal in their habits and of slow action ; and those which 

 inhabit cold countries hybernate. This tribe comprises the family of the 

 Bears. Cuvier remarks, that in the absence of the caecum, their slow 

 and nocturnal habits, &c., they resemble Insectivora, which they likewise 

 do in their plantigrade motion. 



Fam. URSID^E. 

 Incisors normally - ; canines ; prsemolars ; molars - 



O J. A ~c - 4: O "~~ O 



Two tuberculated teeth on each side in the upper jaw ; one or two in the 



