90 INTRODUCTION. 



from throwing the artery out of its original course, close to the body of 

 the bone, on the contrary, encircles it. For a long time this extension of 

 the humerus would be in a state of cartilage, and still longer only par- 

 tially ossified, being united to the body of the humerus, by an inter- 

 vening layer of cartilage ; till, at length, some time after birth, or when 

 the animal is on the eve of maturity, the whole would become one solid 

 mass, with a perforation for the artery, not disturbed, by this process, from 

 its original direct and nearest route to the fore-arm : so that the pur- 

 pose, in the present case, would be to secure as undeviating a way as 

 possible, for an artery conveying blood to large and powerful muscles, 

 the energy of which depends on a full uninterrupted stream of the vital 

 fluid. 



To return, however, to the feline race, it may be observed, that the 

 fore-arm enjoys a limited degree of pronation and supination, as might 

 be expected in animals of their habits and manners, with which the paw 

 is an engine of destruction. The bones of this organ are remarkable for 

 their hardness : those of the carpus (five in the anterior row, four in the 

 basal row) are strongly locked together : the metacarpal bones, and the 

 phalanges of the fingers, are well knit, and almost as solid as ivory. The 

 thumb (if it may so be called) is, however, in a mere rudimentary condi- 

 tion, as in the Dog ; being of little or no importance. The paw is not, 

 indeed, an instrument endowed with delicacy of touch, or with the power 

 of grasping : it is a weapon armed with talons, which terminate, or 

 sheath, the last bone of every finger : these talons are strong, hooked, 

 and sharp, and are, moreover, kept habitually retracted, within a sort of 

 hood, or sheath ; so that they are not only concealed, but also prevented 

 from touching the ground, as do the claws of the Dog and Wolf, which 

 are thereby rendered blunt, and incapable of inflicting serious injury. The 

 Lion, the Tiger, the Panther, and the Leopard, take their prey by surprise. 

 Endowed with the sense of sight in high perfection, and capable of seeing 

 by night as well as by day, they creep cautiously and silently toward 

 their victim, crouching, as they proceed, behind any available covert, till 

 the fatal moment arrives, when, with a bound and roar, they hurl their 

 victim to the earth, lacerated by the blow, to which their weight, and the 

 concentrated energy of their muscular powers, give an irresistible impetus. 

 Looking at the formidable paw of one of these animals, it is found to be firm, 

 sinewy, and flexible ; its efficiency cannot be mis- 

 taken. Two circumstances require especial notice 

 it is padded with an elastic cushion below, and its 

 talons are not visible. The foot of the Lion is 

 padded on the sole with a springy cushion of gra- 

 nular fat, two inches in thickness ; and a similar, but smaller cushion is 

 placed under each toe ; and other feline animals are similarly provided 

 (fig. 90). The object of this is, first, to render the tread so noiseless, 



