204 



A COURSE ON ZOOLOGY. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

 Carnivora. 



BEARS, DOGS, CATS, SEALS, ETC. 



THE carnivora are mammals whose food consists en- 

 tirely or principally of flesh, and whose organization 

 consequently conforms with the necessities of such a 

 diet. However, these animals possess certain peculiari- 

 ties of structure ; not all flesh-eaters are carnivora, and 



FIG. 129. 



SKULL OF TIGER. 



some carnivora prefer a very mixed diet. Each jaw is 

 armed with six pointed incisors, two strong, sharp, and 

 curved canines, adapted for seizing and penetrating 

 flesh, and molars capable of cutting it up. Sometimes, 

 however, the molars are tubercled, and this is an evi- 

 dence that meat is not indispensable in the creature's 

 diet. The toes usually terminate in sharp claws. 



