494- VIVERRINE OPOSSUM. 



become longer and larger towards the grinders; 

 they are points or cones placed on a broad base. 



" There are four grinders on each side, the 

 middle two the laro-est, the last the least; their 



o * 



base is a triangle of the scalenus kind, or having 

 one angle obtuse and two acute. Their base is 

 composed of two surfaces, an inner and an outer, 

 divided by processes or points : it is the inner that 

 the grinders of the lower jaw oppose, when the 

 mouth is regularly shut. The lower jaw has three 

 fore teeth, or incisors, on each side; the first con- 

 siderably the largest, projecting obliquely for- 

 wards; the other two of the same kind, but 

 smaller, the last the smallest. 



" The holder in this jaw is. not so large as in 

 the upper jaw, and close to the incisors. There 

 are three cuspidati, the middle one the largest, 

 the last the least; these are cones standing on 

 their base, but not on the middle, rather on the 

 anterior side. There are four grinders, the two 

 middle the largest, and rather quadrangular, each 

 of which has a high point or cone on the outer 

 edge, with a smaller, and three more diminutive 

 on the inner edge. 



" It is impossible to say critically what the va- 

 rious forms of these teeth are adapted for from 

 the general principles of teeth. In the front we 

 have what may divide and tear off; behind those 

 there are holders or destroyers ; behind the latter 

 such as will assist in mashing, as the grinders of 

 the Lion, and other carnivorous animals ; and, 



