CARNIVOROUS MAMMALIA. 365 



formidable weapons of offence and destruction. Great me- 

 chanical power was required for raising the head, not only 

 on account of the force to be exerted in tearing flesh, but 

 also that these animals might be enabled to carry away their 

 prey in their mouths. Hence we find that in the Lion, of 

 which the skeleton is represented in its relations to the out- 

 line of the body, in Fig. 221, the first vertebra of the neck, 

 or atlas, has very widely expanded transverse processes, 

 while the second vertebra has a largely developed spinous 

 process, for supplying levers for the muscles which have to 

 perform these and other actions in which the head is con- 

 cerned. 



The whole of the remaining part of the skeleton of these 

 animals is constructed with reference to their predatory na- 

 ture. The sudden springs with which they pounce upon 

 their prey must impart to the whole osseous frame the most 

 violent concussion. The first stroke with which they attempt 

 the destruction of their victims is given with the fore leg: 

 so that, had the limb been rigidly connected with the ster- 

 num, by means of an entire clavicle, its motions would have 



been too limited, and danger of fracture would have been in- 

 curred. The scapula is broad, and the humerus of great 



