OF THE CLASS MAMMALIA. 



269 



other matters, may be judged of by the varying proportions 

 of these cutting or tuberculated parts of the molar teeth> 



Animals of this order have generally the toes armed with 

 claws adapted to hold and to tear their prey ; usually also 

 they have no collar bones. This kind of organization is met 

 with in the genera cat, hysena, viverra, martin, otter, dog, 

 badger, bear, &c. 



The genus cat (Fig. 232), which may be viewed as the 

 type of the carnivora, comprises not only the common cat, but 

 also the tiger, lion, panther, lynx, &c. ; their jays are short, 

 and are acted on by muscles of extraordinary strength ; their 

 retractile nails, concealed between the toes in a state of repose 



Fig. 232. The Panther. 



by means of elastic ligaments, are never blunted. Their toes 

 are five in number on the anterior limbs, and four on those 

 behind. Their hearing is exceedingly fine, and the best deve- 

 loped of all their senses. They see well by day and night, 

 but they are not farsighted ; in some the pupil is elongated 

 vertically, in others it is round. They make great use of the 

 organ of smell; they consult it before eating, and often when 

 anything disturbs them. Their tongue is covered with horny 

 and very rough points. Their coat is in general soft and fine, 



