CLAWS OF CATS 



391 



Fig. 193. — Section of auditory bulla of Tiger, am. Audi- 

 tory meatus ; BO, basioccipital ; e. Eustachian canal ; 

 ^c, oc, two chambers of bulla divided by 5, septum ; 

 *, their aperture of communication ; I't, periotic ; 

 .SV/, squamosal ; t, tympanic ring. (Prom Flower's 

 Osteology.) 



The digits are five on the fore-feet, four on the hind. The 

 caecum is present and small. This family contains but two 

 genera, Fclis and 

 Cynadurus. 



The genus Felis is 

 very wide in its dis- 

 tribution, being com- 

 mon to both the Old 

 and the New Worlds. 

 Its distinctive charac- 

 ters, as opposed to 

 Cynadurus, are mainly 

 the following : — The 

 claws are retractile, 

 and the retractility is 

 more markedly de- 

 veloped than in the 

 Cheetah. The molar 

 is not so nearly in 



a line with the other teeth ; the upper carnassial, more- 



The legs are relatively shorter. 



The complete retractility of 

 the claws is a very distinctive 

 feature of the true Cats. It is 

 brought about in this way : the 

 terminal joint of the toe, which 

 is clad with the claw, folds back 

 Pig. 194.— The phalanges of the middle into a sheath by the Outer side 

 digit of the manus of the Lion (Fdi. ^f ^^ ^y^^.^^ ^j^g middle phalanx. 



Im). X J. a. The central portion . ^ t ■ ■ 



forming the internal support to the It is held in this position by 



horny claw ; 6 the bony lamina re- ^ ^<^^qj^„ ligament. The flcxor 

 fleeted around the base 01 the claw ; o o 



2ih>, proximal phalanx ; pifi, middle muscles Straighten the phalanx 



C^e,.-s^O^^Sr'''''"^'- ''™" ^hich bears the claw, so that 



the natural position for the 

 animal is to be in a state of retracted claws, which of course 

 preserves them from friction ; when wanted for aggressive pur- 

 poses, they are pulled into sight by the action of the muscles 

 already mentioned. 



Much has been written as to the shape of the pupil of the 

 Cat's eye. Some careful observations upon the matter have been 



over, has an inner tubercle. 



