CAENIVORA. 6 



In the second group, called the Dog-footed Carnivora (Cyno- 

 pocla), the bones of the toes form a more or less extended, slightly- 

 arched Hne, and the claws, being always exposed, and worn when 

 the animal walks, are more or less blunt at the tips. The more 

 typical dog-footed animals often scratch holes in the ground ; and 

 some have strong, elongated, arched claws for this purpose. 



The groups are well defined and very distinct, and the above 

 characters are well marked in most of the genera. Some few genera 

 have feet that seem nearly intermediate between the two groups. 

 In such cases the whole appearance of the animals must be taken 

 into consideration, and the genus placed in the group to which it 

 seems most allied in habit and manners. 



The animals of the different families which have sharp, retractile 

 claws have habits in common. Thus the Cat (Felidce), the Civet 

 (ViverridcB) , the Ailuridce, and the Cercoleptidce defend themselves 

 by lying on their backs and using both their hind and fore feet to 

 claw with ; they walk softly and jump on their prey. 



The animals with exserted claws generally scratch holes in the 

 ground, and defend themselves with their front feet and teeth. 

 Some, as the Suricates and the Bear, sit on their haunches ; and the 

 Bear, the Coati, the Eaccoon, &c. use the fore feet as hands to take 

 their food, as weU as in defence. 



The first group, the Cat-footed (jEluropoda), contains the follow- 

 ing families : — Felidce, Viverridce, Mustelidce, Ailuridce, Cercoleptidce, 

 and Procyonidm. 



The Dog-footed, or Ctnopoda : — Oanidm, Hycenidce, Herpestidce, 

 Melinidce, and Ursidce. 



Synopsis of the Families. 



Section I. Cat-footed Carnivora (JEluropoda). Toes short, regularly 

 arched ; the last phalanges bent up, withdrawing the claws 

 into a sheath ; claws sharp. 



* Sead short, rounded. Ttcbercular grinders 1 . 1, onh/ in the wpper 

 jaw ; false grinders 1 or 2 in each jaw. Nose simple, flat, naked, 

 with a central groove below, 



Fam. 1. Fblid^. Head short, rounded. Tubercular grinders 1 . 1, 

 in upper jaw ; false grinders 2 . 2 in each jaw ; the flesh- 

 tooth subtrigonate, with a large internal lobe. Sole of heel 

 hairy. 



Fam. 2. Gtjepaedidjb. Head short, rounded. Tubercular grinders 

 1 . 1, in upper jaw ; false grinders 2 . 2 in each jaw ; the 

 flesh-tooth compressed, without any internal lobe. Sole of 

 heel hairy. 



Fam. 3. CETPTOPROCTiD-a:. Head short, rounded. Tubercular 

 grinders 1.1, only in the upper jaw ; false grinders 3 . 3 in 

 each jaw; flesh-tooth subtrigonate, with a distinct internal 

 lobe. Sole of heel bald. 



b2 



