358 DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMAL LIFE. 



consumption. The Quadrumana form about one-fourteenth of 

 the whole number of species of Mammalia. 



The Carnivora, characterised by the development of their 

 canine teeth, are spread over the whole globe. They are 

 found in greater numbers in the torrid, however, than in the 

 frigid zone. Their species compose at least one-third of 

 the Mammalia. 



The Rodentid) characterised by the development of the 

 incisors, are wanting in Polynesia, and are rare in Australia. 

 They are found in their maximum number in the torrid zone. 

 Like the Carnivora, they form about one-third of the Mam- 

 malia. 



The Ruminantia, remarkable for the development of their 

 digestive apparatus, are distributed into 165 species, repre- 

 senting something less than one-ninth of the Mammalia. 

 Africa, of all the continents, is richest in the Ruminants. 



* 



The MarsttpiaUa, so strangely distinguished by the mem- 

 branous pouch in which they enclose their young, belong to 

 America, and especially Australia. At present about 123 

 species are known, or a little more than one-thirteenth of the 

 Mammalia. 



The Edentata, so named on account of their incomplete 

 dentition, inhabit the tropical regions of the Old and New 



