DOMESTIC ANIMALS 97 



powerful muscles, which enable him to crush large and 

 hard bones. Compare the teeth of a sheep with those of 

 a dog. Procure the clean jawbone of a sheep for this com- 



FIG. 22. SKULL OF DOG. 



parison. Can you judge of an animal's food by its teeth ? 

 Foxes and wolves have teeth like a dog. Of what use are 

 the large canines to them ? Why should the dog have the 

 large pointed canines ? 



43. The Cat. 



MATERIAL : The clean skull of a cat or a somewhat enlarged draw- 

 ing of it on the blackboard. Previous observations : Retractile claws 

 of the cat; its teeth; walking, climbing, jumping; attitude against 

 dogs ; love for its kittens. 



Although the cat was, no doubt, domesticated much later 

 than the dog, it has nevertheless lived in the company of 

 man for thousands of years. It is probable that it was first 

 tamed by the ancient Egyptians and that the wildcat of 

 Egypt and Nubia is its ancestral form. In Europe it did 

 not become common until after the Crusades, when the in- 

 creased cultivation of grain made it very useful for check- 

 ing the increasing numbers of mice and rats. 



On the twigs of the last two you will find beautiful red fruit. 



