82 



mam:\iali.v. 



different generic groups, linivever, niaintiiin their integrity. Mncrof:eeJiJes anil Tiipriia are (lie 

 least coiifiinnalile withtlie (itlicrs ; Init iieitlier are these niueli reiiioved in tlieir more essentia! 

 characters. jVs a ivhole, tlie)- compose a very natural and appreciable division, and our author 

 assigns them a rank equivak-nt to the Cheiroptera on the one hand, and to the Cakni- 

 VORA, comprising his Plaiitiyrr.ida, Dlc/itigrada, and Amphibia, on the other. 



Remains of three species of Sorex, one of Talpa, and one of Brinaceus. liave hecu louml in 

 the European Tertiary deposits, apparently referaldi' to sjieclcs still in existence. The jireseiit 

 range of the division does not extend to Soiirli America* nor Australia, ivherc, hovever, it 

 appears to be adequately represented by the numerous small Tilurxiijiiutn, piculiar to those 

 vcgious; a curious fact, hrst noticed by Waterhcuse, and since by Ue Bkuiivillc] 



THE THIRD EAMILY OF CARXARLA. 



CARXn ( IRA. 



Although the designation ctiniivoroiis is applicable to all unguicnlated Man/.nalia, except 

 the Quadruinuna, wliich have three sorts of teeth, inasmuch as they all subsist more or less on 

 animal matter, there are nevertheless many, more especially of the two jireccding families, 

 mIucIi are reduced by the i'eebleness and the Conical tubercles nf their grinders to prey almost 

 entirely on insects. In th orescnt family, rhe sanguinary apiictite is combincil ivith the ibrce 

 necessary for its gratiticatiwu. There are iuvvays four stout and long sepai'ated canines, 

 between which are six incisors to each jaw, of which the second inferior are inserted a little 

 more inward than the rest. The molars are either wholly cutting, or have some blunted 

 tuberculous parts, but they are never studded with sharp conical projections. 



These animals are the more exclusively carnivorous, in jn-oportion as their teeth are more 

 comjiletely trenchant or cutting, so that the degree of admi.vturc of their regimen inav be 

 almost calcalated from the extent of the tube culous surface of their teeth, as compared \\itli 

 the cutting portion. The Bears, ivhich can live altogether on vegetables, have nearly all their 

 teeth tuberculated. 



The anterior molars are the most trenchant ; next frdlows a molar, larger than tlie otliers, 

 ivkich has usually a tuberculous proiectiou, differing in size; and tken i'oUow one or two 

 smaller teeth, that are entirely flat. It is "with these small kindward teeth that the Dog chews 

 the lierbaL'c that he smuetimes swidlows. V> c i\ ill calk ivilU JI. E. Cuvier, tliis large U)ipcr 

 molar, and its corresponding one belo\\", cnnirrrdiis tcf/lh ; the anterior jioiuted ones, false 

 7iiohirs, and the posterior blunt ones, luJirn-iiUnis miliars. 



It is easy to conceive that the genera which have tVnver false molars, and of which the jaws 

 are shorter, are consequently better adapted for biting. 



Upon these differences the genera can be most surely established. 



The consideration of the hind-foot, however, must also be attended to. 



Several genera, like those of the two preceding famihes, in walking, place the whole sole of the 

 foot on the ground, a circumstance [generally] indicated by the absence of hair on all that part.t 



Others, and by far the greater number, rest on only the ends of the toes, elevating the tarse. 

 Their gait is more rapid, and to this primary difference are added many others of habit, and 

 even of internal conformation. In both, the clavicle is a mere bony rudiment suspended in 

 the muscles. 



The Pl.vntigrada 



Constitute this llrst tribe, which walk on the whole sole of the foot, a circumstance which trivcs 

 them greater facility of standing upright upon their hind-feet. They partake of the slowness 



- S„r.:i h-Utriiiauui some of llic old auttiora is a truu DiiJtlpfiif. 1 iviili li;iir ; the sunic is ot>seri ,it>!u in soinu Miirrcns , uhilc others '-'' 



