at 



105 



to collectors under the name of " Venus's 

 Slipper," and "Glass Nautilus." A species 

 is found in the Mediterranean, where it is 

 said to feed on small jelly-fish (Medusa:), 

 and even true fish, as, for instance, the dwarf 

 Atherine (Atherina nana.) 



CARNARIA. An immense assemblage 

 of ungniculated quadrupeds, belonging to 

 the third order of Mammalia, arid which 



i possess, in common with Man and the 

 Quadrumana, the three sorts of teeth, but 

 have no opposable thumb to the fore-feet. 



I CARNIVORA. The term applied to the 

 fifth order of Quadrupeds, or Beasts of Prey, 



1 which in the structure of their teeth and 

 digestive apparatus, and in their general 

 conformation, show that they are peculiarly 

 adapted for destroying living animals, and 

 for tearing and devouring flesh. lu the 

 greater number of the members of this order, 

 the size of the canine teeth is the most ob- 

 vious mark of distinction ; these are large, 

 strong, and pointed, and project somewhat 

 forwards, so as to present themselves rather 

 in front of the line of the other teeth. Be- 

 twe_en the canines of the two sides are six 

 incisor teeth in each jaw, which are provided 



SKCT.-L OP THB LIO 



with sharp cutting edges. The molar teeth, 

 situated behind the canines, are of three 

 kinds ; those which immediately follow 

 the canines, being more or less pointed, 

 and termed fake molars; the next being 

 especially adapted for dividing and lacera- 

 ting animal muscle, by the sharp edge of its 

 summit, and termed carnivorous teeth ; and 

 the last, or hindmost, being more or less 

 rounded or tuberculated. The proportion 

 which these different classes of molar teeth 

 bear to each other in degree and develop- 

 ment, accords with the relative carnivorous 

 propensitj' of the different families ; for in- 

 stance, it may be laid down as a general 

 rule, that those carnivorous animals which 

 have the shortest jaw and the least develop- 

 ment of the false molars are those in which 

 the sanguinary propensity and the destruc- 

 tive power co-exist in the highest degree. 

 It should also be remembered that the arti- 

 culation of the jaw does not permit of hori- 

 zontal movement, the power being simply 

 that of opening and shutting, like a pair of 

 shears. In these, as indeed in all animals, 

 | the structure is admirably adapted to their 

 habits. They feed on living animals and 

 are therefore swift to pursue, and strong to 

 overpower them ; they are armed with for- 

 midable teeth and claws to tear them in 

 pieces ; their sight is keen, and even more so 

 by night than by day ; their sense of smell 

 is acute, and their power of hearing delicate; 



their feet are soft, to enable them to steal 

 silently on their prey ; their bodies are long 

 and flexible, so that they may glide unseen ; 

 and, finally, their supply of food being un- 

 certain, they are capable of long abstinence. 



In every order there is one principal group, 

 which possesses the characteristics of the 

 order in the highest perfection ; though the 

 necessary imperfection of all artificial sys- 

 tems of arrangement causes animals to be 

 grouped together, which, although agreeing 

 in very many points, yet differ essentially in 

 others. Thus Lions and Tigers are the prin- 

 cipal or tropical group of Carnivora, yet in 

 the order are included Bears, Racoons, &c., 

 which feed principally on vegetables. The 

 CARNIVOKA are divided into 1. The Plan- 

 ti'jrades, or those which walk on the entire 

 soles of their feet : 2. Digitigrades, or those 

 which walk on their toes : 3. Amphibia, or 

 Amphibious Carnivora. The Plantigrades 

 comprise Bears, Badgers, Racoons, Gluttons, 

 and Coatimondis. The structure of their 

 feet causes these animals to be slow ; but as 

 their food is principally vegetable, speed is 

 not required. The same structure gives them 

 great facility in raising themselves on their 

 hind feet. The Digitigrades comprise Lions, 

 Tigers, Cats, Dogs, &c. This structure gives 

 swiftness. This division is also characterized 

 by the claws being retractile : thus preserv- 

 ing them from injury, and keeping them 

 sharp for use when required. The Amphi- 

 bia, or Amphibious Carnivora, comprise the 

 Seals and Sea-horses, distinguished by having 

 very short hind legs, and the fore legs formed 

 for swimming. 



As we shall have occasion to recur to this 

 subject in describing various animals whose 

 propensities are decidedly carnivorous, 

 though differing in the degree, we shall for 

 the present merely^ add, that the muscular 

 energy of the Carnivora is very great j their 

 respiration and circulation very active ; and 

 the demand for food, as a natural conse- 

 quence, very constant. 



CARP. (Cyprinus carpio.) The genus of 

 Malacopterygious abdominal fish, of which 

 this species is the best known, may be easily 

 distinguishable by the small mouth, toothless 

 jaws, and gills of tliree flat rays. The tongue 

 and palate are smooth, but the gullet is ad- 

 mirably constructed for mastication, having 

 large teeth attached to the inferior pharyn- 

 geal bones, which press the food between 

 themselves and a gelatinous knob, connected 

 with a bony plate that is united with the first 

 vertebra, commonly called the carp's tongue. 

 They have but one dorsal fin, and the body 

 is covered with scales, generally of a large 

 size. They frequent fresh and quiet waters, 

 feeding 011 herbs, grain, and even mud, being, 

 perhaps, the least carnivorous of the finny 

 race. The most noted are the COMMON 

 CARP, and the GOLDEJS CAKP or GOLD-FISH 

 (.Cyprinus auratus). 



The COMMON CARP (Cyprinus carpio) is 

 found in most of the lakes and smaller rivers 

 of Europe; but those of the southern and tem- 

 perate parts are most congenial to it, and it is 

 said to decrease in size the farther it is re- 

 moved to a northern region. It is generally 



