344 



VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



Order XII. C'arnivora. 



The twelfth order of Mammals is that of the Carnimra or Beasts 

 of Prey, comprising the Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Dogs, Cats, Hytenas, 

 Seals, Walruses, &c. The Carnivora are distinguished by possess- 

 ing two sets of teeth, which are simply enamelled, and are always 

 of three kinds, incisors, canines, and molars, differing from one an- 

 other in size and shape. The incisor teeth are generally six in each 

 jaw ; the canines are always two in each jaw, and are much longer 

 and larger than the other teeth. The prtsemolars and molars are 

 mostly cutting teeth, furnished with sharp uneven edges, but one 

 or more of the hinder teeth have tuberculate crowns. The molars, 

 too, graduate from a cutting to a tuberculate form as the diet is 

 strictly carnivorous or becomes more or less miscellaneous. 



The dentition (fig. 249) differs considerably in different members 

 of the order, but subjoined is the dental formula of the Cats (Felidce), 

 which are the most typical examples of the Carnivora — 



, 3— .3 

 ' 3-3 ' 



1—1 

 1—1 



pm 



3—3 



1- 



-2'™1- 



30. 



Fig. 240. — Permanent dentition of tlie Lion iFelU ho). Iq tlie upper jaw tlie letter 

 ji3 indicates tlie upper camassial, while in the lower jaw the letter m. indicates the 

 lower camassial. 



In the typical and most highly specialised Carnivores (such as the 

 Felicia;), the last pnemolar in the upper jaw, and the first molar 

 in the lower jaw (fig. 249, pin^ and ni) are specially developed, and 

 are known as the " camassial " teeth, having a sharp cutting-edge ; 

 whereas in other cases the corresponding teeth are blunt and " tuber- 

 culated." Even in their most trenchant condition, the camassial 

 tooth commonl}' has a more or less developed tnberculated process 



