58 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



swimming ; the feet are broad and webbed ; the tail 

 is flat and broad, forming a rudder; the outer fur 

 hard, smooth, and shining; and the teeth, though 

 like those of its family, are more powerful, and 

 armed with sharp points to hold its slippery prey. 

 Its success answers to its formation; it swims and 

 dives with peculiar ease and swiftness, and captures 

 its glittering booty with unerring skill. It always 

 comes on land to eat it, holding it in its fore paws, 

 and beginning at the head. We possess one native 

 species, (L. Vulgar is,) if not more. Others are 

 found in the rivers of North and South America, 

 India, and South Africa, and one marine species in 

 the North Pacific Ocean. 



The second family of the Digitigrade Carnivora 

 comprises the Dogs, Canidce. The number and form 

 of their teeth indicate propensities somewhat less 

 carnivorous than those of the Weasels, and with this 

 their habits agree ; still, however, the strength of 

 their canines, and the form of their lacerators, shew 

 a high degree of aptitude for subsisting on recent 

 flesh. The peculiarity of their dentition consists in 

 the presence of an additional tuberculous tooth in 

 the upper jaw, and in the upper lacerator being fur- 

 nished with a large heel. The length of their limbs 

 gives them a superior swiftness, which is capable of 

 being long sustained from their strength of muscle 

 and sinew. The tongue is unfurnished with those 

 prickly points which render this organ in the Cats so 

 efficient in tearing flesh ; the toes, five on the fore 



