FALL AND WINTER ANIMAL STUDY. 457 



corresponds to our ankle-joint, and the part below is the 

 foot, much elongated. But the children cannot understand 

 this ; and it is better to have them compare the parts which 

 are to them and to most adults analogous.) Call their 

 attention, if necessary, to the cushion on each toe, and to 

 the way kitty pushes out and draws in her sharp-pointed 

 claws. (See Figs. 51 and 52.) 



Fig. 51. Cat's Paw, under side, Fig. 52. Cat's Paw, showing 



showing Pads the Claws. 



Have children tell about the parts in their own arms, 

 upper arm, elbow-joint, lower arm, wrist-joint, hand, fin- 

 gers and nails. Compare with corresponding parts of 

 kitty's fore legs, noting particularly their freedom of mo- 

 tion in all directions (compare with hind legs), and the 

 toes with cushions and retractile claws. 



Adaptation. After, not before, observing as carefully 

 as possible, discuss adaptation with children. How are 

 the hind legs fitted for pushing the body when the cat 

 walks. Compare with way in which children push their 

 sleds, with their feet extending behind the sled. How 

 fitted for jumping ? How are the fore legs fitted for 

 quickly catching or grasping ball or string, or her food ? 

 What do both legs have which help kitty to climb so well, 

 or to hold her food, or to keep away the dog or the 

 children ? Why do not the sharp claws catch in the carpet 

 when she walks ? What do the feet have to help her in 



