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ORDEK VI. CARNIVOROUS QUADRUPEDS. 

 CAHNIVORA.* 



Although the epithet carnivorous is strictly ap- 

 plicable to many of the preceding quadrupeds, yet 

 their diet is for the most part confined to small 

 animals, such as worms and insects, as the general 

 feebleness of their structure and the arrangement of 

 their teeth alike indicate. But in the Order, upon 

 the consideration of which we are now about to enter, 

 the sanguinary appetite is conjoined with strength 

 necessary for its gratification. The carnivorous quad- 

 rupeds, properly so called, are at once distinguishable 

 by the possession of four large, long, and widely- sepa- 

 rated fangs, generally known by the appellation of 

 canine or dog-teeth, the use of which is to seize and 

 hold fast their struggling prey ; between these there 

 are six smaller teeth, in the front of each jaw, called 

 incisors, while the 

 cheek-teeth are either 

 entirely constructed 

 for cutting and tear- 

 ing, or have their 

 crowns more or less 

 blunted. They are 

 more exclusively car- 

 nivorous in proportion 



as their teeth are ft G. 457. SKULK OF TIGER. 



more completely trenchant; and such as live also 

 upon vegetable food may be recognised by the blunt- 

 ness of their grinders. Thus, in the Cats, the most 

 bloodthirsty of the race, the cheek-teeth are flat and 

 triangular, and their edges cut like the blades of 

 a pair of shears; whilst, on the other hand, the 

 Bears, most of which feed largely on vegetable sub- 

 stances, have nearly all these teeth adapted for bruis- 

 ing and crushing. 



* Caro, camis, flesh ; vorc, fc devour. 



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