82 
MAMMALIA. 
different generic groups, however, maintain their integrity. Macroscelides and Tupaia are the 
least conformable with the others ; but neither are these much removed in their more essential 
characters. As a whole, they compose a very natural and appreciable division, and our author 
assigns them a rank equivalent to the Cheiroptera on the one hand, and to the Carni- 
vora, comprising his Plantigrada, Digitigrada, and Amphibia, on the other. 
Remains of three species of Sorex, one of Talpa, and one of Erinaceus, have been found in 
the European Tertiary deposits, apparently referable to species still in existence. The present 
range of the division does not extend to South America* nor Australia, where, however, it 
appears to be adequately represented by the numerous small Marsupiata, peculiar to those 
regions; a curious fact, first noticed by Waterhouse, and since by De Blainville.] 
THE THIRD FAMILY OF CARNARIA. 
CARNIVORA. 
Although the designation carnivorous is applicable to all unguiculated Manvinalia, except 
the Quadrumana, which have three sorts of teeth, inasmuch as they all subsist more or less on 
animal matter, there are nevertheless many, more especially of the two preceding families, 
which are reduced by the feebleness and the conical tubercles of their grinders to prey almost 
entirely on insects. In the present family, the sanguinary appetite is combined with the force 
necessary for its gratification. There are always four stout and long separated canines, 
between which are six incisors to each jaw, of which the second inferior are inserted a little 
more inward than the rest. The molars are either wholly cutting, or have some blunted 
tuberculous parts, but they are never studded with sharp conical projections. 
These animals are the more exclusively carnivorous, in proportion as their teeth are more 
completely trenchant or cutting, so that the degree of admixture of their regimen may be 
almost calculated from the extent of the tuberculous surface of their teeth, as compared with 
the cutting portion. The Bears, which can hve altogether on vegetables, have nearly all their 
teeth tuberculated. 
The anterior molars are the most trenchant ; next follows a molar, larger than the others, 
which has usually a tuberculous projection, differing in size; and then follow one or two 
smaller teeth, that are entirely flat. It is with these small hindward teeth that the Dog chews 
the herbage that he sometimes swallows. We will call, with M. F. Cuvier, this large upper 
molar, and its corresponding one below, carnivorous teeth j the anterior pointed ones, false 
molars, and the posterior blunt ones, tuberculous molars. 
It is easy to conceive that the genera which have fewer false molars, and of which the jaws 
are shorter, are consequently better adapted for biting. 
Upon these diflTerences the genera can be most surely established. 
The consideration of the hind-foot, however, must also be attended to. 
Several genera, like those of the two preceding families, in walking, place the whole sole of the 
foot on the ground, a circumstance [generally] indicated by the absence of hair on all that part.f ; 
Others, and by far the greater number, rest on only the ends of the toes, elevating the tarse. 
Their gait is more rapid, and to this primary difference are added many others of habit, and 
even of internal conformation. In both, the clavicle is a mere bony rudiment suspended im 
the muscles. 
The Plantigrada 
Constitute this first tribe, which walk on the whole sole of the foot, a circumstance which gives 
them greater facility of standing upright upon their hind-feet. They partake of the slowness 
* Sorex tristriatusol some of the old authors is a tine Didelpkis. 
~t ”'n the Polar Bear, and Panda, the sole is completely covered 
with hair : the same is observable in some Martens ; while others of J 
this genus have the sole altogether naked.— Ed. 
