SKELETON OF THE WEASEL. 773 



feet from the mouth. The strength of the tusks so formed is propor- 

 tionate to the bulk of this gigantic Seal, and by their aid the Walrus is 

 enabled to climb on to the rock in order to repose after its labours in the 

 ocean. 



(2223.) The TEBEESTEIAL CAENIVOEA, that live upon flesh, are natu- 

 rally divisible into two great sections. Of these, the most cruel and 

 bloodthirsty, that walk only upon their toes, and are called from this 

 circumstance "Digitigrada," bound along with an elasticity and swiftness 

 that are abundantly provided for in the construction of every part of 

 their osseous system. In this section are classed the extensive tribes 

 of Weasels (fig. 393), Civets, Hyenas, and the race of Cats, the most 

 formidable and ravenous of quadrupeds. 



Fig. 393. 



Skeleton of the Weasel. 



(2224.) In the FELINE CARNIVOEA, indeed, to which belong the Lion 

 and the Tiger, so justly celebrated for their strength and ferocity, a 

 peculiar and beautiful provision is visible in the construction of the 

 foot, whereby the claws that arm the last phalanges of the toes are kept 

 constantly sharp, their points never being allowed to become worn by 

 touching the ground ; hence they are in these creatures terrific instru- 

 ments of attack. The mechanism provided for effecting this is as fol- 

 lows : three elastic ligaments, derived from the penultimate joint of 

 the toe, are inserted into the last phalanx in such a manner that, by 

 their elasticity, under ordinary circumstances, they keep the claw laid 

 back upon the upper aspect of the foot ; so that, the soft cushions be- 

 neath the toes being the only parts brought in contact with the ground, 

 these creatures always walk with a stealthy and noiseless tread. But 

 when the Tiger springs upon his prey, the tendons of the flexor muscle 

 of the toes, implanted into the opposite surface of the phalanx, over- 

 coming the elasticity of the retractile ligaments, pluck forward the 

 curved claws, and burying them deeply in the flesh of the victim, the 

 strongest animals struggle vainly to shake off a gripe so tenacious. 



(2225.) But, among the DIGITIGEADE CAEKLVOEA, none are of so much 

 importance as the Dog an animal specially provided for the use of 

 man, to be his companion in the field, and his assistant at the chase. 



