VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



Felis* the Cat. 



We have now arrived at that genus which is the 

 type of the carnivorous order, in which the appetite 

 for living flesh is found in the highest degree, ac- 

 companied by an organization adapted in every res- 

 pect to the fulfilment of their instincts in the slaugh- 

 ter of other animals. They have but two false mo- 

 lars in each jaw, no tuberculous tooth below, and 

 but a very small one above, but the lacerators termi- 

 nate in pointed and trenchant lobes of great power, 

 fitted for crushing large bones, while the canines are 

 long, stout, and pointed, for tearing the large masses 

 of quivering flesh which are swallowed without chew- 

 ing. To second these powerful weapons, the jaws 

 are short, while the mouth is wide ; and moved by 

 muscles of extraordinary size and strength, whose 

 whole force is exerted in giving a vertical motion. 

 The tongue answers an important purpose in feed- 

 ing ; being furnished, towards the base especially, 

 with numerous prickly points directed backwards, 

 which tear the flesh, open new channels for the 

 blood, and enable the tongue, like a flexible file, to 

 scrape every particle of flesh and ligament from 

 those bones which resist the force of the teeth. 



But their weapons of offence are not confined to 

 the organs of the mouth ; every one must have ob- 

 served the use which the domestic Cat makes of her 

 fore feet in the capture of prey and in defence, as 

 well as the power, agility, and precision of their 



* Its Latin name. 



