LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY. 313 



The Soricidss or Shrews, with a proboscis-like snout and a musty 

 smell. And the Talpidse or Moles with short, powerful digging 

 feet, soft fur and small eyes constitute this order of insect eaters. 



The Pinnipedia are aquatic animals with a somewhat spindle- 

 shaped body, having two pairs of short legs ending in fin-like 

 feet. They are covered with a fine close fur and are carnivorous. 

 This order includes the Phocidse or Seals and the Trichechidae or 

 Walruses. The seals live on fish, have short canines and rough 

 molars. The walrus lives on crustaceae and molluscs, having 

 the upper canines developed into tusks. 



The Carnivora are distinguished by their size, strength and 

 quickness ; by prominent canines and cutting molar teeth; by the 

 massive skull furnishing the attachment and leverage for the 

 powerful muscles moving the sturdy jaws, and they are all armed 

 with strong cutting claws. This order is made up of the Ursidae 

 or Bears. Stout unwieldly plantigrades including the polar 

 and grizzly bears, the black bear, the raccoon and others. Some 

 of the ursidge are omnivorous, eating roots, mast, honey, etc. 

 They have strong non-retractile claws, and some take a winter 

 sleep. 



The Mustelidae or Martens, as the badger, marten, skunk, wea- 

 sel and otter. The Viverridae or Civet-cats. The Canidae or Dogs, 

 which are digitigrades with non-retractile claws, including the 

 dogs, wolves, jackals and foxes. The Hyaenidae or Hyenas ; and 

 lastly the Felidae, the typical family of carnivorous animals. 

 They are digitigrada, of slender but powerful build, with strong 

 retractile claws, with powerful canines and sharp cutting teeth. 

 This family includes the lion, tiger, leopard, panther, jaguar and 

 other cats. 



The Cheiroptera or Bats are characterized by long anterior 

 limbs, with long digits, which are united by a delicate membrane 

 extending from the fore to the hind limbs, and, being attached to 

 the sides of the body, form true organs of flight. They are noc- 

 turnal animals; the eyes are small but the senses of hearing and 

 touch are very acute. Some of the bats live on fruits, some on 

 insects, and some on the blood of warm-blooded vertebrates. 



