2 The Carnivora. 
nuts, would, without doubt, regale themselves on a baby in arms, 
dropped into their den by a careless nursemaid, as thoroughly 
as I have seen one of the same species enjoy a present of a 
sucking pig. 
This order of mammals may be divided into three sections, 
the first containing those that are cat-like, the second those 
that are dog-like, the third those that are bear-like. Of the 
cat-like section, which it is now proposed to discuss, we have 
five families, viz.: the Felide, or cats and their allies, exemp- 
lified by the lion, tiger, jaguar, cheetah, lynx. &c.; the Hyenide, 
byznas; the Viverride, civets; the Protelide, Aard-wolf, of 
Africa; aud the Cryptoproctide, the cryptoprocta, all of which 
are strictly carnivorous and predatory. 
Professor Flower, Director of the Natural History Museum, 
South Kensington, has shown in the following table the mutual 
relationships of the families :— 
AZLUROIDEA. CYNOIDEA. ARCTOIDEA.” 
A. ya An 
FELIDE HY#ENIDA. URSIDA. 
CRYPTOPROCTIDE. PROTELIDA. CANIDA. PROCYONIDA. AILURIDA. 
VIVERRIDA. ’ MUSTELID#. 
The Canide constitute the central group, the families to the 
right and left representing, according to their distance from 
it, and their position on the first, second, or third line, the 
degree of structural divergence. Thus, the Felide and Urside, 
at the opposite ends, are most highly modified with respect to 
the central group, and to each other. The greatest modification 
is indicated by the upper line, in proportion to distance, and 
least by the lowest line (Viverride and Mustelide being least 
modified), while all on the middle line occupy an intermediate 
relationsnip according to distance from the central group. 
The land carnivora may be said to take the place among 
mammals which*the Raptores occupy among birds, by virtue 
of their strength, agility, and the natural weapons furnished 
them for the capture of their living prey; and, like their aerial 
representatives, they exhibit the same intolerance of captivity 
