OR OSSEOUS SYSTEM. 



Ill 



molares, (A. a.*) of which there is only a very small one in the 

 feline carnivora. The lachrymal bone is here almost confined 

 to the orbit. By the zygomatic arch being carried forwards 

 beneath the orbit and the condyle of the lower jaw being 

 extended backward, the masseter muscles act with great force 

 and advantage on the lower jaw, their place of insertion being, 

 like that also of the temporal, considerably anterior to the 

 point of resistance and of rotation. The transverse processes 

 of the atlas and the spinous process of the axis are of great 

 length, and the processes generally of the cervical vertebrae 

 for the strong muscles of the neck, by which they have to 

 tear their food to pieces, or to carry their victims to a place 

 of retreat. There is great strength with flexibility in all parts 

 of the vertebral column, and hence their slender ribs encom- 

 pass a smaller portion of the trunk than in the ponderous 

 bodies of the pachyderma, but their thoracic cavity is wide 

 and capaceous. The lumbar region is extensive, and the trans- 

 verse processes of the vertebrae are there directed forwards. 

 The sacro-iliac articulation is very oblique, giving greater 

 elasticity to the attachment of the legs to the trunk, and the 

 coccygeal vertebras are generally very numerous and moveable. 

 The scapula is broad and strong, the clavicles imperfect or 

 wanting, and the muscular processes of the bones of the arm 

 and fore-arm are strongly marked. Above the inner condyle 

 of the humerus (fig. 59, C. ,) is a large oblique foramen, 

 through which the ulnar artery passes forwards, protected 

 from external pressure, as we see also in some of the climbing 

 quadrumana. In the soft and flexible hand of the carnivora, 

 as in that of the tiger (fig. 59, A.), the carpal bones are 

 generally reduced to seven 

 by the anchylosis of the 

 scaphoid and lunar bones 

 (a), and the succeeding 

 bones of the metacarpus (c) 

 and the phalanges of the 

 fingers (d, e,) present strong 

 and secure articulations, the 

 last phalanx on the hands 

 (e, e,) as on the feet (B. e, e,) 

 being directed upwards to d 

 preserve the sharp claws 



FIG. 59. 



