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JAWS AND TEETH OF LION. 



Pre-eminently carnivorous in their diet, and destructive in their mode of obtaining food, 

 their bodily form is most exquisitely adapted to carry out the instincts which are im- 

 planted in their nature. 



All the members of the cat tribe are light, stealthy, and silent of foot, quick of ear 

 and eye, and swift of attack. Most of them are possessed of the power of climbing 

 trees or rocks, but some few species, such as the Lion, are devoid of this capability. 



The teeth of the exclusively carnivorous animals are always of a form which permits 

 them to seize and tear their prey, but does not give them the power of masticating 

 their food after the manner of the vegetable feeders. We are all familiar with the 

 mode in which the domestic cat consumes her food, whether it be a piece of butchers' 

 meat which is given to her by the hand of man, or a mouse which she has captured 

 by her own paws. Instead of the grinding process which is employed by monkeys 

 and other creatures whose teeth are fitted for grinding their food, the cat tears 

 the meat into conveniently sized morsels, and then eats the food by a series of 

 pecking bites. 



The annexed engraving of a Lion's teeth and jaws will explain the reason for this 

 mode of action. 



None of the teeth are furnished with the flat surfaces which are necessary for grinding 



the substances which may be placed 

 between them ; and this inability does 

 not lie only in the teeth, but extends to 

 the very framework of the jaws. As may 

 be seen on reference to the engraving, 

 the lower jaw is so largely developed at 

 its base, and fits so deeply into its socket, 

 that lateral motion is impossible. 



In order to give a more perfect 

 view of the lower jaw-bone, the bone 

 immediately above it has been removed, 

 and presents only its cut surface. This 

 part of the structure is scientifically 

 known as the " malar," or cheekbone, and 

 forms an arch which has been termed the 

 " zygomatic " arch. In the carnivorous, 

 and more especially in the feline animals, 

 this bone is extremely large in proportion, 



and is increased in strength by its very decided curve. The great size, as well as the 

 peculiar form of this bone, are required for the purpose of affording protection to the 

 enormously powerful muscles by means of which these animals are enabled to tear 

 their food, and also for the attachment of certain jaw-moving muscles. There is an 

 upward as well an outward curve in the malar bone, which gives strength precisely in 

 the direction where it is most required. 



On reference to the skeleton of the Lion, many curious structures will be seen. It 

 would be impossible in the present volume to give a detailed history of even one portion 

 of the bony framework around which the moving and vital organs of the Lion are 

 arranged. Only a short description, therefore, will be here given ; and in order to 

 proceed methodically, we will start from the head. 



The teeth and jaws have already been mentioned. On the top of the skull there 

 runs a tolerably high bony crest, which reaches its greatest elevation at the very back 

 of the head. This bone-ridge is intended for the attachment of the powerful muscles 

 which raise the head, and enable the animal to perform its wonderful feats of strength. 

 Pausing awhile at this portion of the animal's form, and directing our view to the 

 interior of the skull, a curious internal ridge of bone is seen, which arises to some little 

 height and separates the two great divisions of the brain from each other. In the cat 

 tribe, this ridge arises entirely from that part of the skull which is known by the name 

 of the " parietal bone ; " but in other carnivorous *mals, the " occipital bone " is the 



JAWS AND TEETH OF LION. 



