TEETH OF CARNIVORS 



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of attack or of defence. When the surface of the cheek- 

 teeth is broad, with low and numerous tubercles, the food 

 of the animal is of a rather soft substance, which yields to 

 a grinding action. Such substances are fruits, nuts, roots, 

 or leaves, which are " triturated" and mixed with the saliva 

 during the process of mastication. Where the vegetable 



Fig. 27. — View in the horizontal plane of the teeth of the lower and 

 upper jaw of the same clouded tiger's skull, inc. i. Lower incisors. 

 inc.s. Upper incisors. ca». t. and can. s. Lower and upper canine. 

 m. The cheek-teeth — three only in the lower jaw, a minute fourth 

 molar present in the upper. 



food is coarse grass or tree twigs, requiring long and 

 thorough grinding, transverse ridges of enamel are present 

 on the cheek-teeth, as in elephants, cattle, deer, and rabbits 

 (see Figs. 1 3, 22, 24). Truly carnivorous animals, which eat 

 the raw carcases of other animals, have a different shape of 

 teeth. Not only do they have large and dagger-like 



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