MAMMALIA. 395 



upon another, is a principle that should ever be kept in view, 

 and with which the mind of the learner should become familiar. 

 We have seen, that according to the nature of the food, there 

 is an adaptation of parts both internal and external; these 

 are accompanied by corresponding habits. Hence the organs 

 needful for the providing of food or in other words, the 

 teeth, and of the extremities furnish, so far as external 

 characters are concerned, a sound basis for classification ; and 

 as such they were regarded by Cuvier. 



While, however, the system laid down by that distinguished 

 naturalist in the last edition of his Regne Animal, is here 

 adopted, it is not implicitly followed in every particular. 

 Since the publication of that work, vast accessions to our 

 knowledge of animals have been received, and impose the 

 necessity of some changes in the classification. It would be 

 contrary to the spirit of Cuvier not to concede what is thus 

 demanded.* 



The following distribution of the inferior animals into ten 

 orders, is that which is sanctioned by the writings of two 

 British naturalists, whose opinion on such matters is entitled 

 to the highest respect, t Man is also included under the 

 distinctive term applied to that of which he is the sole repre- 

 sentative, thus making eleven orders in all. 



I. Bimana (two-handed] Man. 



II. Quadrumana (four-handed) Monkeys. 



III. Cheiroptera (finger-winged} Bats. 



IV. Insectivora (insect-eating) Hedgehog, Shrew. 



* V. Carnivora (flesh- eating) Lion, Tiger, Bear. 

 VI. Cetacea (whale-like) Whale, Porpoise. 



VII. Pachydermata (thick-skinned) Elephant, Rhinoceros. 



"VIII. Ruminantia (ruminating) Ox, Deer. 



IX. Edentata (toothless) Sloth, Ant-eater. 



X. Rodentia (gnawing) Rat, Hare, Squirrel. 



XI. Marsupiata (pouched) Opossum, Kangaroo. 



It is quite impossible in any linear arrangement such as 



* The principal change is the separation of the Bats ( Cheiroptera) and 

 the Hedgehogs, &c. (Insectivora), from Cuvier's order of " Carnassiers" 

 or flesh-eating animals, and the elevation of those groups from the ranks of 

 Families to that of distinct Orders. There are also changes with regard 

 to the Marsupial animals. 



f Professor Owen, in Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physiology; and G. 

 R. Waterhouse, Esq. in Magazine and Annals of Natural History. 



