THE CAT FAMILY 109 



although it does not guard the tip of the claw from being 

 blunted. 



This latter object, however, is obtained by a piece of 

 animal mechanism at once perfect and simple, which 

 in the accompanying illustration is very clearly shown. 

 In the lower figure may be seen two tendons, one 

 passing under the toe, and, when contracted, drawing 

 the claw downwards. The other, by its indiarubber-like 

 elasticity, draws the claw upwards as long as it is not 

 counteracted by the stronger tendon below. Therefore, 

 when the animal is at rest, or simply walking, the claw 

 is held off the ground ; but when the lion or any other 



THE MECHANISM OF A CAT'S RETRACTILE CLAW. 

 (Twice natural size.) 



of the Cat tribe stretches out its paw to strike an 

 enemy or its prey, the claw is drawn forwards from its 

 sheath between the pads and is ready for action. This 

 structure of the claws is termed ' retractile.' 



A few more details of structure must be mentioned. 

 Both the dog and the Cat are fond of licking the hands 

 of those whom they love, and we all know by experi- 

 ence that the tongue of the dog is wet and smooth, 

 while that of the Cat is dry and rough. The reason is 

 that the tongue of the Cat has to perform an office 

 which is not needed by the dog. The jaws and 

 digestive organs of the latter are so constructed that the 

 animal can break bones, if they be not very large, 



