CHAPTER XII. 



THE TEETH OF CARNIVORA. 



THE animals grouped together under the name of 

 Carnivora are divided into two sections, the Aquatic and 

 the Terrestrial Carnivora. 



The terrestrial Carnivora were formerly classed as " digitigrade ' r 

 and " plantigrade," a classification exceedingly inconvenient, as it 

 left the greater number of the animals to be classified in the de- 

 bateable ground between the two extreme types. As a linear 

 classification is impossible, they are now grouped around three 

 centres : the QEluroidea, or cat-like ; the Cynoidea, or dog-like ; 

 and the Arctoidea, or bear-like Carnivora ; and, instead of taking- 

 the Felidas, or Cats, as the type of the group, it is generally con- 

 sidered that the Dog tribe are the most generalised form, and that 

 the Cats are an extreme modification in one direction, the Bears in 

 another. 



The Cynoidea comprise the Dog. and its immediate allies, the 



Wolves and Foxes. 

 The CEluroidea, or cat-like Carnivora, comprise the Viverridae (Civets), 



Hyasnas, and Cats. 

 The Arctoidea, or bear-like Carnivora, comprise the Mustelidge 



(Weasels), Procyonidas (Racoons), and the true Bears. 



The order Carnivora is a very natural one, and its name is, upon 

 the whole, fairly descriptive of the habits of the majority of its- 

 members ; though there are some creatures included in it which are 

 mixed feeders, and others which are purely vegetarian. 



Iii carnivorous animals one tooth on each side of both 

 upper and lower jaws is of considerable length, is sharply 

 pointed, and is called a canine ; the upper canine is sepa- 

 rated by an interval from the incisors, the lower canine 



