24 ZOOLOGY. 



Order : Carnivora (Beasts of Prey). 



In each jaw there are six relatively small incisor 

 teeth ; and, on each side of these, a large projecting 

 canine, by which the flesh is torn from the body of the 

 prey (Fig. 14). The premolars and the first of the 

 true molars (the carnassials ^) are strongly compressed, 

 and have a cutting crown; their outer surface is 

 completely covered with hard enamel. As the lower 

 jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, and is only able to 

 move up and down, not from side to side, the sharp 

 crowns of the premolars, and especially those of the 

 large carnassials, cut along one another, and divide 

 anything coming between them as if with shears. 

 The small molars which are usually found behind the 

 carnassials have broad tuberculated crowns. The 

 temporal {i.e. chewing) muscles are strongly developed, 

 the general result of which is that the head is broad. 

 The claws are very sharp in some of the families. 

 The Carnivora are powerful animals, move very 

 quickly, and are endowed with keen smell and sight. 



The wild Carnivora living in Britain belong to the 

 families of cats, dogs, and weasels. 



Family : Felidse {Gat Family). 



Typical Carnivora with very large canines and 

 carnassials, two premolars in each half of each jaw, 

 one of the upper molars, but none of the lower ones, 

 small and tuberculated. Tongue rough. Fore and 

 hind feet five-toed. When not in use, the claws are 

 drawn back (retracted). The Felidse are digitigrade. 

 Backbone very flexible^ and with free power of move- 

 ment. The Felidae are iDloodthirsty, nocturnal animals, 

 many of which climb well, and spring upon their prey. 



The group is specially exemplified by the Domestic 



' The upper oarnasBials = last premolars. 

 The lower „ = first molars.— Te. 



