530 



MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



the Deinotherium. This extraordinary animal has hitherto 



only been found in Miocene de- 

 posits, and little is known of it 

 except its enormous skull. Mo- 

 lars and praemolars were present 

 in each jaw, and the upper jaw 

 was destitute of canines and in- 

 cisors. In the lower jaw were 

 two very large tusk-like incisors, 

 which were not directed forwards 

 as in the true Elephants, but were 

 bent abruptly downwards (fig. 202). 

 The animal must have attained an 

 enormous size, and it is probable 

 that the curved tusks were used 



\ 



either in digging up roots or in 

 mooring the animal to the banks 



of rivers, for it was probably aquatic or semi-aquatic in its 



habits. 



Fig. 202. Skull of Deinotherium 



CHAPTER LXXIX. 

 CARNIVORA. 



ORDER IX. CARNIVORA. The ninth order of Mammals is 

 that of the Carnivora, comprising the Feres or feeasts, of Prey, 

 along with the old order of the Pinnipedia, or Seals and Wal- 

 ruses, these latter being now universally regarded as merely a 

 group of the Carnivora modified to lead an aquatic life. 



The Carnivora are distinguished by always possessing two 

 sets of teeth, which are simply covered by enamel, and are 

 always of three kinds incisors, canines, and molars differing 

 from one another in shape and size. The incisors are generally 



2 ? J I 



(except in some seals); the canines are always - 



and are invariably much larger and longer than the incisors. 

 The praemolars and molars are mostly furnished with cutting or 

 trenchant edges ; but they graduate from a cutting to a tuber- 

 culate form, as the diet is strictly carnivorous, or becomes 

 more or less miscellaneous. In the typical Carnivores (such 

 as the Lion and Tiger), the last tooth but one in the upper 

 jaw and the last tooth in the lower jaw are known as the 

 "carnassial" or "sectorial" teeth, having a sharp cutting edge 



