CARNIVORA VERA 497 



in some, absent in other groups. The uterus is bicornuate. The 

 mammae are abdominal, and very variable in number. The 

 placenta is deciduate, and almost always zonary. The clavicle 

 is often entirely absent, and when present is never complete. The 

 humerus often has an entepicondylar foramen. The radius and 

 ulna are distinct. The scaphoid and lunar bones are united into 

 one, and there is never a distinct os centrale in the adult. The 

 fibula is always a distinct slender bone. 



Several of these characters are, however, not applicable to all 

 the members of the extinct group of Carnivores for which the 

 name Creodonta has been proposed, as will be noticed in the 

 sequel. 



The large majority of the species composing this order subsist 

 chiefly upon some variety of animal food, though many are 

 omnivorous, and some few chiefly, though not entirely, vegetable 

 eaters. The more typical forms live altogether on recently-killed 

 warm-blooded animals, and their whole organisation is thoroughly 

 adapted to a predaceous mode of life. In conformity with this 

 manner of obtaining their subsistence they are generally bold and 

 savage in disposition, though some species are capable of being 

 domesticated, and when placed under favourable circumstances for 

 the development of such qualities exhibit a very high degree of 

 intelligence and fidelity. The existing representatives of the order 

 are naturally divided into two suborders, the members of the one 

 being the more typical, and mainly terrestrial in their mode of life ; 

 while those of the other are aberrant, having the whole of their 

 organisation specially modified for living habitually in water. 

 These are called respectively the True, or Fissiped, and the Pinniped 

 Carnivora. 



Suborder CARNIVORA VERA. 



Generally adapted for terrestrial progression and mode of life, 

 though some may be partially aquatic in their habits. The fore 

 limbs never have the first digit, or the hind limbs the first and fifth 

 digits, longer than the others. Incisors f on each side, with very 

 rare exceptions. Cerebral hemispheres more or less elongated ; 

 always with three or four gyri on the outer surface forming arches 

 above each other, the lowest surrounding the Sylvian fissure. The 

 molar series of teeth have not the uniform characters of those of 

 the Pinnipedia. There is always one tooth in each jaw which 

 is specially modified, and to which the name of " sectorial " or 

 " carnassial " tooth has been applied. The teeth in front of this are 

 more or less sharp pointed and compressed ; while those behind it are 

 broad and tuberculated. The characters of the carnassial teeth 

 deserve special attention, as, though fundamentally the same 



32 



