THE TEETH OF MAMMALS 141 



temporo-mandibiilaf articulation, which allows of 

 but one motion, — i.e., the vertical, — the mere 

 opening and closing, without any lateral move- 

 ment, so as to cause the long-bladed teeth to pass 

 close to each other, for the purpose of cutting the 

 flesh fiber. The jaws are stout, to support the 

 powerful muscles which are attached to them. 

 The incisors are small and slightly tuberculate on 

 the edge, the usual cutting function of these teeth 

 being usurped by the long-bladed molars, as the 



Fig. 50. — Teeth of Indian Tiger (Felis tigris). 



incisors are now used only as scrapers for clean- 

 ing bones. The canines are long, conical or saber- 

 shaped, curved, sharp, and piercing for seizing 

 and tearing the prey. The premolars and molars 

 are compressed and raised into effective cutting 

 blades for the division of flesh. They perform 

 the cutting function instead of the incisors, and 

 exhibit a high degree of specialization (Fig. 50). 

 The Felidce are the highest and most specialized 

 as regards the teeth of the order. It includes the 



