QUADRUPEDS. 
343 
well practised to judge of distance, esteems the requisite 
proximity attained, one vigorous bound brings the active 
murderer full on its victim with prodigious force; the paw, 
•with distended claws, inflicting a violent blow at the 
moment of descent. For these movements there are pecu- 
liar provisions. The lithe and flexible spine, accompanied 
by the power of the muscles, enables the Cat to throw 
itself forward with these sudden energetic bounds; while 
the same properties, combined with the shortness, freedom, 
and flexibility of its limbs, allow it to crouch close, to creep 
along with the belly on the ground, as every one has seen 
the domestic Cat do, when contemplating a mouse, or any 
other object which awakens her energy. The noiseless 
tread, also, so essential to the animal’s purpose in stealing 
unperceivcd on its victim, is provided for, partly by the 
retraction of the claws already noticed, partly by the soft 
fur in which the feet are imbedded, but principally by the 
spongy pads which are seen beneath the toes. These pads 
have another use, even more important still ; for they serve 
by their elasticity to lessen the shock, which otherwise 
would ensue to the nervous system, iu descending from 
their vigorous bounds. 
The prey being thus slain, or at least disabled, other 
ordinances of supreme Wisdom become apparent in pro- 
viding for its appropriation. The teeth, already alluded 
to, come into requisition. A grinding action is not 
required; the flesh has merely to be divided into portions 
sufficiently small to be swallowed, and hence the teeth are 
all cutters. Look at what, from their normal action in 
other animals, we call the molars; their summits form 
lancet-like edges, clothed with the hardest enamel, and the 
