io8 FLESH-EATERS OF THE LAND 



five, while the fore feet appear to have only four toes. But 

 a short examination of a Cat's foot will detect a sharp and 

 curved claw about half way between the toes and the elbow. 

 This i dew-claw/ as it is popularly called, is in reality the 

 nail of the thumb, the joints of which are only developed 

 sufficiently to carry this claw, which is very useful when the 

 prey is trying to escape. The Cats, therefore, really possess 

 five toes on each foot. 



The Cats, on account of their mode of life, must be 

 swift of foot and capable of leaping great distances in 

 order to capture their prey. The great length of the 

 projecting heel-bones adds to the leaping power, not 

 only affording attachment to enormously strong tendons, 

 but giving an additional leverage to the limb. The 

 bones of the fore limbs, too, are specially modified, the 

 ulna being of great length and strength, and projecting 

 far beyond the radius. There are practically no collar- 

 bones, the only indications of them being two tiny, 

 flattened, sabre-shaped bones, which even in the largest 

 felines are only an inch or two in length. 



The reason for this structure is very evident. The 

 animal, when springing upon its prey, launches itself 

 through the air, and simultaneously strikes with its fore- 

 paws. If, therefore, the fore limbs were connected with 

 the skeleton by a couple of strong collar-bones, those 

 bones would be broken by the shock, as so often 

 happens to ourselves, and the animal would be disabled. 

 But, by their practical absence, the fore limbs are only 

 indirectly connected with the skeleton, and so the required 

 elasticity is obtained. 



The nails, claws, or talons as they are indifferently 

 termed, are strong, sharply pointed, and boldly curved 

 so as to act like hooks. Now, however, comes a diffi- 

 culty. The efficiency of the claws depends upon their 

 sharpness, and if the animal were to walk upon them 

 they would soon be worn down and blunted. Moreover, 

 they would make a noise at each step, and so prevent 

 the creature from stealing silently upon its prey. There- 

 fore the under surface of the toes is furnished with a 

 large and elastic pad, which gives the noiseless tread, 



