^be Beasts of fibres. 



FOURTH ORDER: Carnivora. 



O CLASS of mammalia pre- 

 sents a greater variety of 

 forms than the Carnivora, 

 nearly all sizes being repre- 

 sented, from the smallest to 

 medium ; while in external 

 appearance there is infinite 

 variety. How many inter- 

 mediate connections are -to 

 be found between the pow- 

 erful Lion and the tiny Wea- 

 sel, the graceful Cat, clumsy 

 Hyena, slender, dainty Civet 

 with its fine, sleek skin, the 

 strong, rough Dog, lumbering Bear and agile Marten 

 — all these are members of one great family. One 

 can but be astonished that they are united in one 

 group, living as they do, some on the ground, some 

 in the water and some on trees ! 



General All Beasts of Prey show in their phys- 

 Traits of ical endowments and mental capacities 

 Carnivora. considerable uniformity, notwithstand- 

 ing their superficial difference. Their modes of life, 

 their habits, their food, all more or 

 less similar, indicate that not only 

 the structure of their limbs, their 

 teeth and digestive organs, but also 

 that their minds and mental capac- 

 ity must, in some degree, be of the 

 same cast. Caricatures and repul- 

 sive peculiarities are entirely absent 

 in this class. 



Their limbs are in harmonious re- 

 lation with each other and the body, 

 uniformly have four or five toes, 

 and are provided with strong claws, 

 which may be sharp or blunt, re- 

 tractile in their sheaths, or without 

 this covering. All the organs of 

 sense show a high degree of devel- 

 opment. The teeth are strong, 

 sharp, often pointed, the upper ones 

 fitting into or between those of the 

 lower row, and all deeply fixed in 

 powerful jaws which are set in 

 motion by huge muscles. 



The stomach is always simple in 

 structure; the intestines are of short 

 or medium length. Some species 

 glands, secreting a liquid of a pungent odor, which 

 serves either as a defence against stronger animals, 

 or to attract weaker ones ; and which may be oily 

 and used to keep the skin pliable. 



A close examination of the Carnivora will show 

 us the following general peculiarities of structure : 

 the skeleton is strong, in spite of its light, graceful 

 appearance ; the skull is elongated, its solid ridges 

 and crests and the strongly curved zygomatic arches 

 affording ample room for the attachment of power- 



ful muscles. The orbits are large, and the nasal 

 bones and cartilages are long, so that the organs of 

 sense have room for perfect development. The proc- 

 esses of the vertebrae are long, and those of the 

 lumbar region are often united ; but the number of 

 vertebrae forming the tail is subject to great varia- 

 tion. The structure of the limbs may also vary ac- 

 cording to the mode of life, but always shows a 

 combination of strength and mobility. 



Many Carnivora have the nose lengthened into a 

 trunk and furnished with special cartilages and small 

 bones ; with these the trunk serves tor digging up 

 earth. The limbs of some are short and thick and 

 these species are adapted for a subterranean life. In 

 others the limbs may be long, giving the capacity 

 for quick running, or they may be connected by 

 webs and enable the animal to live in the water. 

 The claws may be retractile, in which case they are 

 protected in walking, and may serve as excellent 

 weapons ; or else they are blunt and immovable, in 

 which event they serve only to protect the foot and 

 to dig up the ground. The canine teeth are as for- 

 midable as the grinding teeth, and may, therefore, 



THE ROYAL TIGER. This picture shows with the strictest fidelity the structure and mark- 

 ings of this great feline. The curved outline of the head with its stripings and shadings, the muscular 

 limbs and the powerful padded paws, the ringed and tapering tail, and I thymwwillt 



of the Tiger wandering through the jungle are all revealed by a study of this illustration. (Felis ligns.) 



show 



pecu 



liar 



be used with equal effect in fighting and for the hold- 

 ing and tearing of prey. Large muscles and tendons 

 give strength and endurance, and arc so arranged as 

 to permit of wide-sweeping, easy movements. 

 Development of In addition to all this their souses are 

 Senses in acute to a high degree. In exceptional 

 Carnivora. cases one sense may be weak, but the 

 others are then sure to make up for the deficiency 

 by special keenness. It cannot be said that any 

 one sense is a distinguishing feature of all alike ; for 

 some show a wonderful development of the sense of 



(87) 



