30 



SUBKINGDOM VBETEBEATA. 



Felidse. — The Cats form the typical family of this order. 

 They are all digitigrade (toe- walkers). Lest their claws 

 should be blunted by coming in contact with the ground or 

 impede their progress by getting entangled in the grass, they 

 are retractile, i. e., the upper tendons of the foot hold them 

 back without any exertion of the will. Eesting upon its 

 soft, padded feet, and with its claws sheathed, the animal 

 steals noiselessly toward its prey. As the fatal spring is made, 

 the lower muscles suddenly contract, and, drawing the 

 claws forward, bury their sharp points in the victim's 



Fig. 27. 



Fig "S 



1. Claw Sheathed. 



2. Claw Extended. 



Tongue of a Carnivorous Animal 

 Highly Magnified. 



flesh. The tongue is covered with innumerable little hooks, 

 pointing backward. These are for rasping the bones which 

 it gnaws for food, and beautifully illustrate the economy of 

 Nature, which allows no waste. The whiskers on the upper 

 Hp are of great service to the animal while skulking about 

 in the darkness, seeking its food. They equal the body in 

 width, and by indicating the breadth of any opening, warn 

 it from attempting too close a bush, and thus causing a 

 rustle which might alarm its prey. 



