CARNIVORA VERA 497 
in some, absent in other groups. The uterus is bicornuate. The 
mamme are abdominal, and very variable in number. The 
placenta is deciduate, and almost always zonary. The clavicle 
is often entirely absent, and when present is never complete. The 
humerus often has an entepicondylar foramen. The radius and 
ulna are distinct. The scaphoid and lunar bones are united into 
one, and there is never a distinct os centrale in the adult. The 
fibula is always a distinct slender bone. 
Several of these characters are, however, not applicable to all 
the members of the extinct group of Carnivores for which the 
name Creodonta has been proposed, as will be noticed in the 
sequel. 
The large majority of the species composing this order subsist 
chiefly upon some variety of animal food, though many are 
omnivorous, and some few chiefly, though not entirely, vegetable 
eaters. The more typical forms live altogether on recently-killed 
warm-blooded animals, and their whole organisation is thoroughly 
adapted to a predaceous mode of life. In conformity with this 
manner of obtaining their subsistence they are generally bold and 
savage in disposition, though some species are capable of being 
domesticated, and when placed under favourable circumstances for 
the development of such qualities exhibit a very high degree of 
intelligence and fidelity. The existing representatives of the order 
are naturally divided into two suborders, the members of the one 
being the more typical, and mainly terrestrial in their mode of life; 
while those of the other are aberrant, having the whole of their 
organisation specially modified for living habitually in water. 
These are called respectively the True, or Fissiped, and the Pinniped 
Carnivora. 
Suborder CARNIVORA VERA. 
Generally adapted for terrestrial progression and mode of life, 
though some may be partially aquatic in their habits. The fore 
limbs never have the first digit, or the hind limbs the first and fifth 
digits, longer than the others. Incisors 3 on each side, with very 
rare exceptions. Cerebral hemispheres more or less elongated ; 
always with three or four gyri on the outer surface forming arches 
above each other, the lowest surrounding the Sylvian fissure. The 
molar series of teeth have not the uniform characters of those of 
the Pinnipedia. There is always one tooth in each jaw which 
is specially modified, and to which the name of “sectorial” or 
“carnassial” tooth has been applied. The teeth in front of this are 
more or less sharp pointed and compressed ; while those behind it are 
broad and tuberculated. The characters of the carnassial teeth 
deserve special attention, as, though fundamentally the same 
32 
