58 Anecdotal Natural History. 



second ridge of bone is found, partly separating the 

 two great divisions of the brain from one another. 

 The object of this ridge has never been satisfactorily 

 proved, but it is thought to be of service in guarding 

 the brain from the severe shocks to which it might 

 otherwise be subjected from the leaps and bounds of 

 the animal. 



The teeth of the cats, like those of all other exclu- 

 sively flesh-eating animals, are formed for biting and 

 tearing the prey alone, and not for masticating it before 

 it is swallowed. None of them are found with the flat 

 surface necessary for grinding the food, and, even 

 were such teeth possessed, the construction of the 

 iaws would render impossible the side motion neces- 

 sary for mastication. Upon watching a cat devouring 

 her food, it will be seen that she bolts it in large lumps, 

 swallowing it by a succession of sharp, pecking bites. 



Passing to other parts of the skeleton, it will be 

 noticed that the two first vertebra are provided with a 

 similar enlargement to that of the skull, for the better 

 attachment of the muscles. 



The bones of the limbs are of great strength, as is 

 necessary for the rapid and powerful motions of the 

 animals. The muscles are particularly hard and 

 tough, seeming almost like bands of iron, and turning 

 the edge of the sharpest knives. 



The claws, which are the chief weapons of the 

 animal, are long, sharp, and strongly curved. 



All the animals of the tribe being fUgitigraa'es, or 

 those which walk upon the tips of the toes alone, it 

 might be thought that the points of the claws would 

 be constantly worn down by the friction with the 

 ground, and thus rendered useless for purposes of 

 offence. 



In order to prevent this, there is a beautiful me- 

 chanism which, when the paw rests upon the ground, 



