CARNIVORA. 49 



By whom were the Lemurs so named, and why ? Where are they found, 

 and of what do they there take the place ? In what do they resemble 

 Monkeys, and how differ from them? In what do Lemurs chiefly differ 

 among themselves ? What is said of their size, and is much known of their 

 habits in a wild state ? What are their habits in a state of captivity ? In 

 what do they delight ? What food do they prefer, and what refuse ? How 

 do changes of climate affect them ? What influences have wet and dust 

 upon them ? What is to them a favorite position ? Do they live alone, or 

 in troops ? What animal do they strongly resemble ? What general name 

 is sometimes given them ? Name the groups into which Cuvier arranged 

 them ? What is said of the Red Lemur ? Which of the Lemurs is the 

 largest and most beautiful ? Give some account of the other groups, the 

 Indris, the Slow Lemurs, the Galagos, and the Tarsiers. Describe the Aye- 

 Aye, and the Flying Lemurs. Why is the name Aye-Aye given to the 

 Cheiromys ? Ans. Because this name, as pronounced, is supposed to resem- 

 ble the cry of the animal. 



SECTION VIII. 



ORDER 3. CARNIVORA. 



(Lat. earo, flesh; voro, to devour.) 



The two preceding orders, we have found specially character, 

 ized by the number and properties of their hands. In the animals 

 we are now about to consider, the hands are modified into feet. 

 At the head of the four-footed animals are the Carnivora, or flesh 

 eating anim ils, which have the strongest thirst for blood, and with 

 it the power and instruments for its gratification. These, in the 

 structure of their teeth, their digestive organs, and general con- 

 formation, are adapted for preying upon other animals. In com- 

 mon with the first two orders, they have three kinds of teeth, and 

 nails or claws on their feet ; but unlike them, never have the 

 front toe opposable to the other fingers. Their molar teeth, or 

 grinders, are adapted for cutting and tearing rather than bruising 

 or grinding. The greater or less development of the molar teeth 

 as cutting or tearing instruments, indicates the kind of animal 

 food suited for their support. Those Carnivora which have their 

 molars, in whole or part, tuberculated, (covered with small 

 knobs.) use vegetables, to a greater or less extent; those which 

 have them serrated, or notched with points, live chiefly on insects. 

 Other modifications of the molar teeth, fit them for crushing 

 bones, or dividing flesh, as occasion may require. As a general 

 rule, the jaws open and shut like a pair of shears, upwards and 

 downwards, but do not admit of a side-wise movement. The 

 Carnivora have no third lobe in the brain. The senses of sight, 

 hearing and smell are exceedingly acute. Their feet are of a 

 peculiarly soft structure, to enable them to steal silently upon 

 their prey ; and their supply being uncertain, they can endure 



