502 



CARNIVORA 



Family FELID^E. 



In all the forms, both recent and fossil, which can be included 

 in this family the canines are strongly developed, there are never 

 more than one upper and two lower molars, and the three lower 

 incisors are placed in the same horizontal line. With one exception, 

 the humerus has an entepicondylar foramen. 



The following characters are common to all the existing 

 members. True molars reduced to one above and below, that of 

 the upper jaw very small and transversely extended. Only two 

 inferior premolars. Upper carnassial with three lobes to the 

 blade ; lower without talon or inner cusp. Auditory bulla not ex- 

 ternally constricted. No alisphenoid canal. Carotid canal very 

 minute. Digits 5-4. Dorsal vertebrae 13. 



Felis. 1 The whole structure of the animals of this genus ex- 

 hibits the Carnivorous type in its fullest perfection. Dentition : 

 * f ' c T) P f ' m T > total 30. A distinctly cusped inner tubercle 



to the upper car- 

 nassial. Claws com- 

 pletely retractile. 

 The upper anterior 

 premolar (p. 2), al- 

 ways small, and may 

 be absent without 

 any other modifica- 

 tion in the dental 

 or other structures. 

 Such a variation 

 should not therefore 

 be considered as 

 of generic import- 

 ance. Incisors very 

 small. Canines 

 large, strong, slightly 

 recurved, with trenchant edges and sharp points, and placed wide 

 apart (Fig. 223). Premolars compressed and sharp pointed. The 

 most posterior in the upper jaw (the carnassial), a very large tooth, 

 consisting of a sub-compressed blade, divided into three unequal 

 lobes supported by two roots, with a very small inner tubercle 

 placed near the front end of the tooth and supported by a distinct 

 root (Fig. 220). The upper true molar a very small tubercular 

 tooth placed more or less transversely at the inner side of the 

 hinder end of the last. In the lower jaw the true molar (carnassial) 

 reduced to the blade alone, which is very large, trenchant, and 



1 Linn, Syst. Nat. 12th ed. vol. i. p. 60 (1766). 



FIG. 223. Front view of skull of Lion (Felis leo). 



