THE CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS 27 



from the house cat and tiger by possessing triangular ears, 

 short tails, and comparatively long legs. Moreover, the 

 lynx has a pencil, or tuft of hairs on each ear, and occasion- 

 ally a wild cat is found with ears bearing like tufts. Plainly, 

 the lynx and wild cat differ enough from the tiger and 

 domestic cat to be considered different species. In fact, 

 the differences between them are so great that the lynx and 

 wild cat are placed in a different genus from that to which 

 the tiger and house cat belong. Therefore, the lynx and 

 wild cat represent one genus, while the cat and tiger rep- 

 resent another and different genus. But, since they are 

 all so catlike, they, together with the leopard, lion, panther, 

 jaguar, etc., are placed in a group known as a family (cat 

 family). In like manner, the dogs, wolves, foxes, etc., 

 form the dog family. 



Order. — To go further, we know that the house cat, tiger, 

 Hon, lynx, dog, fox, wolf, bear, and- raccoon resemble one 

 another in possessing teeth fitted for tearing and eating 

 flesh, which forms all or a greater part of their food. There- 

 fore, all of these animals are assembled together in one 

 large group known as an order (Carnivora). 



Class. — Again, the bears, dogs, cats, tigers, lions, wolves, 

 etc., resemble buffaloes, elephants, deer, rats, mice, etc., in 

 possessing milk glands and suckling their young. There- 

 fore, all of these animals are gathered together in a group 

 known as a class (Mammals). 



Branch. — Finally, all of the foregoing animals, together 

 with birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., possess, at some time of 

 their life, a semicartilaginous cord that runs along the 

 back between the nervous system and the alimentary canal, 

 known as the notochord. Therefore they are all placed in 

 one group known as a branch (Chordata). 



