CARNIVORA. 



715 



In the first three sub-orders there is only a single pair of upper 

 incisors, and the three may be united as Simplicidentata, in contrast 

 with the Duplicidentata, where there are two pairs. Only in the latter 

 does the enamel extend to the posterior surface of the incisors, which 

 are also peculiar (in this order), in having well-developed milk 

 predecessors. 



Order Carnivora. 

 This order includes — (a) the true Carnivores, such as lions 



Fig. 317. — Skull of tiger, lateral view. 



px., Premaxilla ; mx., maxilla. Note the insertion of upper canine 

 (c. 1 ) just behind the suture line, and the fact that the lower 

 canine (c. 2 ) bites in front of it ; na., nasals ; la., lachrymal 

 bone with foramen ', Jr. , frontal; pa., parietal; so., supra- 

 occipital ; pa., paroccipital process ; an., auditory aperture (the 

 reference line crosses the inflated bulla) ; sg., zygomatic process 

 of squamosal; a., angle of lower jaw; ju., jugal ; ca., 

 carnassial tooth of upper jaw ; co., coronoid process of lower 

 jaw. 



and tigers, foxes and dogs, bears and otters ; (&) the aquatic 

 Pinnipedia, such as seals and walruses ; and (c) the extinct 

 Creodonta, with several generalised types. 



Most of the Carnivora feed on animal food, and the most 

 typical forms prey upon other animals and devour their 

 warm flesh. Most are bold and fierce animals, with keen 

 senses and quick intelligence, and often much beauty of 

 form and marking. 



