284 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



the other cheek-teeth, and exposes a very large and flat sur- 

 face. The reversed figure of the upper jaw, in the opposite 

 plate, is intended to exhibit it. The corresponding tooth 

 to this, in the Cat tribe, which we shall take occasion to 

 call the auxiliary carnivorous or cheek-tooth, is much 

 smaller, is placed more on an inclined plane in the mouth, 

 and seems destined to receive the cutting edge of that op- 

 posite to it ; whence it cannot act as a molar or grinding 

 tooth, but merely as facilitating the cutting operation. But 

 the large flat tooth of the Weasels is met by a correspond- 

 ing flat surface, in the opposite teeth ef the lower jaw, the 

 last of which is small, and perfectly flat ; the third lobe, 

 also, of the last but one, or largest, is flat, and both these 

 flat surfaces are brought into contact with the opposite flat 

 tooth before described ; so that if any substance be placed 

 between them when the mouth is about to close, it will be 

 squeezed or pounded ; while any thing placed on the flat 

 tooth of the Felinee would be exposed to the action of the 

 cutting edge of its opposite, and consequently be divided, 

 and not pounded. 



The Weasels are very slender and long, and possess a pe- 

 culiar pliability of body, which enables them to pass through 

 very narrow and winding apertures ; whence they are called 

 vermiform animals, and a verminium genus by Ray. 



The head is small and oval, and the forehead flattish ; 

 the jaws are rather short ; the external ears are short, and 

 rounded; the tongue is nearly smooth ; their legs are very 

 short in proportion to the length of their bodies, having 

 five toes before and behind, armed with strong, curved, 

 acute claws, which, in many of the species, are very slightly 

 retractile. The tail isof a moderate length. They have no 

 glandular pouch near the anus, for, we must recollect the 

 true viverras are not included, but they have some small 

 glands placed there, that secrete a fatty substance, which 

 has a strong, and, to many, a very disagreeable odour, 

 although it is highly prized by others. 



