154 A GUIDE FOR THE STUDY OF ANIMALS 



trips to museums and zoological gardens to observe the 

 relatives of the cat. 



Definitions. 



Carnivora. An order of mammals, chiefly flesh-eating, 

 with claws and well-developed canine teeth. 



Carnivorous, flesh-eating. 



Herbivorous, plant-eating. 



Omnivorous, eating both plants and animal food. 



Digitigrade, walking on the toes. 



Plantigrade, walking on the soles of the feet. 



VibrisscB, long hairs on the face — "whiskers." 



Observations. 



1. Into what regions is the body divided } 



2. What is the shape of the head and the length of the 

 neck ? 



3. Are the legs relatively long or short "i How do the 

 front and hind legs compare in length } How many toes 

 on each foot ? Is the cat digitigrade or plantigrade } 



4. How many pads on the sole of 'the foot 1 What 

 use can you suggest for these structures ? What is the 

 size and shape of the claws ? Are they retractile or non- 

 retractile 1 For what purposes may the claws be used t 



5. Describe the tail as to length and appearance. 

 Movements. 



6. What is the size and appearance of the external 

 ears ? What movement do you notice ? 



7. Are the eyes large or small .■' What eyelids can you 

 find ? What other accessory structures ? What is the 

 shape and direction of the pupil ? 



8. What other sensory structures do' you find } What 

 is their function } 



9. Watch the animal eat. Doesit chew or "fletcherize" 



