URSID.E. MAMMALIA. URSID.*:. 



digital phalanges, N, closely resemble those of the 

 fore-feet. Such is a brief sketch of the more striking j 

 peculiarities seen in the skeleton of the lion, these 

 characters being for the most part shared by all the 

 more typical members of the order. The variations 

 that occur in aberrant forms will be alluded to in the 

 general remarks given at the head of each separate 

 family. 



FAMILY I. URSID^J 



The bears differ from the more typical Carnivora in 

 several very important particulars. In the first place, 

 they are plantigrade, applying the entire sole of the 

 foot to the ground during progression ; and in this 

 respect, as well as in the circumstance of their noctur- 

 nal habits, associated with a comparative slowness of 

 pace, we perceive a close alliance with the Inseclivora. 

 In the construction of the skeleton also, we find the 

 bones less robust, while their mode of inter-articulation 

 does not admit of the same degree of easy mobility 

 which obtains in the cats. The elongation of the skull 

 contrasts strongly with the short, massive cranium of 

 the lion and tiger. The bears, properly so-called, 

 usually carry forty-two teeth, twelve being incisive, 

 four canine, sixteen spurious, and ten true molars ; 

 eight of the latter that is, two on either side of each j 



jaw are tnberculated. The snout is prolonged and 

 abrupt at the tip ; it contains internally a movable 

 cartilage. The ears are short, rounded, and erect. 

 The tail is inconspicuous or feebly developed. Differ- 

 ent members of the family are severally found inhabit- 

 ing various parts of the globe. Their food is of a 

 mixed character, scarcely anything being refused, 

 whether animal or vegetable ; this corresponds with 

 the dentition, which, as we have seen, is even more 

 frugivorous than carnivorous. The majority of the 

 species are stout, thickset animals, and when attacked 

 or excited, they frequently assume an upright attitude, 

 fighting and striking with their powerful hands. They 

 pass the winter in a semi-torpid half-starving condition, 

 retreating for this purpose into dens and holes which 

 they have excavated among the rocks. Fossil remains 

 of bears have been found in the newest tertiary or 

 pleistocene deposits, and in caverns referable to the 

 subsequent glacial period. Among the several extinct 

 forms at present known, the Great Cavern Bear (Ursus 

 spelccus) appears to have been the largest, being 

 probably about one-fifth more bulky than any species 

 now living. Caverns containing these remains occur 

 in England, at Kent's Hole near Torquay, in Devon- 

 shire; also in Essex, Norfolk, Yorkshire, andCambridge- 

 shire ; as well as in various parts of Germany , Italy, 

 and the south of France. 



Fig. 20. 





The Kate! (.iJellivora 



THE BATEL (Mellivora capertsis). Following out 

 Cuvier's arrangement as far as possible, we place this 

 interesting animal among the bears ; yet, at the same 

 time, we are fully aware that not only the ratel, but 

 also several of the succeeding forms, exhibit, in a 

 structural point of view, many important features in 

 common with the Mustelidse. On scientific grounds 

 a distinct group might be formed, osculant between 

 the two families ; these refinements, however, as well 

 as the more complicated classifications of some recent 

 natural history authorities, would ill serve our present 



purpose. The ratel (fig. 20) is an Inhabitant of the 

 Cape of Good Hope and the region of the Mozambique. 

 The body is about three feet in length, including the 

 tail, which measures at least six inches; its height 

 from the ground is scarcely one foot. The skin is 

 very dense, the fur consisting of long, stiff, wiry hairs 

 which are greyish above, inclining to white on the 

 head, but very dark or black on the belly ; a white 

 line or stripe separates these two colours. The head 

 is smooth, short, and stout, with an abrupt muzzle , 

 the auricles are small or rudimentary, being repre- 



