354 CARNIVORES. 



allies, as requiring a considerable amount of special knowledge of osteology, we 

 may particularise somewhat more fuUy the leading characteristics of the cats 

 of the present day. And we say those of the present day advisedly, since the 

 researches of palajontologists have now brought to light the remains of a large 

 number of Carnivores, many of which, although they must undoubtedly be called 

 cats, differ from the existing species bj' the gi-eater number of their teeth, as well 

 as by many other structural peculiarities, so as to render it difficult to draw any 

 well-marked distinction between cats and civets. 



We may fii-st of all notice that, as a general inile, the}' have 30 teeth, of which 

 § are incisors, \ canines, \ premolai-s, and \ molare. Occasionally, however, there 

 may be onlj^ 2 premolars on each side of the uj)per jaw, thus i-educing the total 

 number of teeth to 28. Thus a cat has at most only three or four cheek-teeth on 

 each side of the upper jaw, of which the last but one is the flesh-tooth : while in 

 the lower jaw there are but tlu-ee of these teeth, of wliich the last is the flesh-tootli. 

 The upper flesh-tooth is of the same general tj^e as that of the hytena's tooth 

 shown in the woodcut on p. 353 : its blade consisting of tlu-ee distinct cutting-lobes, 

 and usually ha\-ing a distinct tubercle on the inner .side, although this tubercle is 

 always smaller than in the hyaenas, and may be wanting. The lower flesh-tooth is 

 also of the .same general type as that of the hya?nas (of which an example will be 

 found figured under the head of that group), and consists only of the two-lol>ed 

 blade, without any ti-ace of the inner cusp or hinder heel, which form such import- 

 ant elements in the corresponding teeth of the dogs and civets. The flesh-teeth of 

 the cats have, indeed, lost the whole of those elements which are adapted for 

 masticating or bruising food, and are reduced simplj- to the condition of cuttei-s. 

 Moreover, the single molar remaining in the upper jaw is of such small size that it 

 can be of but Uttle, if any, use as a masticating agent ; and we accordingly find 

 that the dentition of the cats is adapted solely for seizing their prey, and sulj- 

 sequently devouring it by cutting oft" the flesh from the bones by the scissor-like 

 action of the flesh-teeth. Any pei-son who has watched a domestic cat eating a 

 piece of meat, or who has observed a captive lion or tiger shearing off huge 

 morsels from its allotted meal, will fully underatand the mode of action of these 

 teetL In aU cats the tusks, or canines, are very long and strong, and frequentl}^ 

 have their hinder border forming a sharp cutting edge, bj' which their rending 

 power is of course much increased. An important feature distinguishing the lower 

 incisor teeth of the cats from those of all other Caraivores is to be found in tlie 

 circumstance that the whole series of six are placed in the same straight transvei-se 

 line, whereas in other Camivoi'es the second pair of these teeth is thrust up above 

 the level of those on either side. 



The fore-feet of all the cats are proNaded with five toes each, whereas the hind- 

 feet have but four toes. The claws in wliich these toes tei-minate are invaiiably 

 curved and sharp, and, with the single exception of the hunting-leopard, can be 

 completely retracted within sheaths for their protection when not in use. The 

 mechanism of the retraction of the claws is due to the peculiar shape of the terminal 

 joints of the toes, and the mode by wliich thej' are articulated to the second joints. 

 Thus the terminal joint of each toe has the broad sickle-like foiTa of the homy claw 

 which it supports, and it is articulated to the end of the second or preceding joint 



