THE TEETH OF MAMMALS 147 



food. The teeth are more tubercular, are reduced 

 in specialization and increased in number to ac- 

 commodate the increased demand for mastication 

 (Fig. 55). The incisors are augmented in size, 

 and often have a transverse groove on the edge 

 into which the opposite tooth fits. The canines 

 are reduced in length from those of the cats, and 

 are more blunt, although the edges on both sides 



Fig. 56. — Teeth of Hyena crocuta. 



are still marked. The premolars are larger and 

 stronger, the tubercles being rounded and reduced 

 and more numerous than in the cats. The true 

 molars are increased in number, are enlarged and 

 more tubercular for crushing purposes and the 

 general change in diet. In the short-muzzled 

 dogs, as the Pugs, some of the molar series are 

 absent on account of the contraction of the jaws 



