28 CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 



SECTION VI. 



3d Order — Carnivorous : (Mammalia.) 



§ 58. Carnivora are those quadrupeds which take their 

 food from the animal kingdom, and possess, like man and 

 quadrumana, the three kinds of teeth, viz : Incisors, canine 

 teeth, and grinders. 



§ 59. The intestines of this order are shorter and less 

 voluminous than those of herbivorous quadrupeds, on ac- 

 count of the substantial nature of their aliment, and to 

 avoid the putrefaction it would undergo by remaining too 

 long in an elongated canal. 



§ 60. The carnivora, according to their external and 

 internal constitution, may be divided into Jive families, 

 viz: 1. Hand-winged; 2. Insect-eaters; 3. Flesh-eaters; 

 4. Amphibious Flesh-eaters ; 5. Pouched Flesh-eaters. 



§ 61. Family I. The Hand-winged, or Bats, (Chirop- 

 tera,) are those nocturnal animals the fore and hind feet 

 of which are connected by a thin membrane, which ena- 

 bles them to fly, but makes them unfit for walking on the 

 ground. 



§ 62. Family II. Insect-eaters (Insectivora) are small 

 Mammalia, which lead a nocturnal subterranean life, feed 

 principally on insects, and in cold climates pass the winter 

 in a torpid state. 



\ 63. Family III. Flesh-eaters (Carnivora) feed ex- 

 clusively on flesh, which they procure by means of their 

 capability of seizing and devouring other animals. 



§ 64. Family IV. Amphibious Flesh-eaters (Amphibia 

 Carnivora) have so short legs, which are so enveloped in 

 their skin, that they can only crawl on land ; but as their 

 feet are webbed, they are excellent swimmers, and live 

 more in water than on land. 



§ 65. Family V. Pouched Flesh-eaters (Marsupialia) are 

 those animals, the females of which have a large pouch 

 (Marsupium) on the under part of the body, which can 

 be opened and closed at pleasure by particular muscles. 

 Their young ones are born small beyond all proportion. 



