72 
Ursid.h. MAMMALIA. UrsidvE. 
digital plialanges, N, closely resemble those of the 
fore-feet, Sucli is a brief sketch of the more striking- 
peculiarities seen in the skeleton of the lion, these 
characters being for the most part shared by all the 
more typical members of the order. The variations 
that occur in aherrant forms will be alluded to in the 
general remarks given at the head of each separate 
family. 
Family I.-URSID^E 
The bears differ from the more tj-pical Carnivora in 
several very important particulars. In the first place, 
they are plantigrade, applying the entire sole of the 
foot to the ground during progression ; and in this 
respect, as well as in the circumstance of their noctur- 
nal habits, associated with a comparative slowness of 
pace, we perceive a close alliance with the Insectivora. 
In the construction of the skeleton also, we find the 
bones less robust, while their mode of inter-articulation 
does not admit of the same degree of easy mobility 
which obtains in the cats. The elongation of the skull 
contrasts strongly with the short, massive cranium of 
the lion and tiger. The bears, properly so-called, 
usually carry forty-two teeth, twelve being incisive, 
four canine, si.xteen spurious, and ten true molars ; 
eight of the latter — that is, two on either side of each 
Fig 
jaw — are tuberculated. The snout is prolonged and 
abrupt at the tip ; it contains internally a movable 
cartilage. The ears are short, rounded, and erect. 
The tail is inconspicuous or feebly developed. Differ- 
ent members of the family are severally found inhabit- 
ing various parts of the globe. Their food is of a 
mixed character, scarcely anything being refused, 
whether animal or vegetable ; this corresponds with 
the dentition, which, as we have seen, is even more 
frugivorous than carnivorous. The majority of the 
species are stout, thickset animals, and when attacked 
or excited, they frequently assume an upright attitude, 
fighting and striking with their powerful hands. They 
pass the winter in a semi-torpid half-starving condition, 
retreating for this purpose into dens and holes which 
they have excavated among the rocks. Fossil remains 
of bears have been found in the newest tertiary or 
pleistocene deposits, and in caverns referable to the 
subsequent glacial period. Among the several extinct 
forms at present known, the Great Cavern Bear {Ursus 
spelaus) appears to have been the largest, being 
probably about one-fifth more bulky than any species 
now living. Caverns containing these remains occur 
in England, at Kent’s Hole near Torquay, in Devon- 
shire; also in Essex, Norfolk, Yorkshire, andCambridge- 
shire ; as well as in various parts of Germany , Italy, 
and the south of France. 
20 . 
The Katel (Mellivora capensisj. 
THE RATEL {Mellivora capensis ). — Following out 
Cuvier’s arrangement as far as possible, we place this 
interesting animal among the bears ; yet, at the same 
time, we are fully aware that not only the ratel, but 
also several of the succeeding forms, exhibit, in a 
structural point of view, many important features in 
common with the Mustelidaj. On scientific grounds 
a distinct grorqr might be formed, oscidant between 
the two families ; these refinements, however, as well 
as the more complicated classifications of some recent 
natural history authorities, would ill serve our present 
purpose. ' The ratel (fig. 20) is an Inhabitant of the 
Cape of Good Hope and the region of the Mozambique. 
The body is about three feet in length, including the, 
tail, which measures at least six inches; its height 
from the ground is scarcely one foot. The skin is 
very dense, the fur consisting of long, stiff, wiry hairs, 
which are greyish above, inclining to white on the 
head, but very dark or black on the bell)' ; a white 
line or stripe separates these two colours. The head 
is smooth, short, and stout, with an abrupt muzzle , 
the auricles are small or rudimentary, being repre- 
