CHAPTER XYI. 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 
Although the Author has endeavoured as much as possible 
to dispense with the difficult terms usually met with in Natu- 
ral History, there are still some peculiar words which must 
be introduced for the benefit of beginners ; they and their 
meanings are introduced in the following glossary : 
Aboriginal. — In its native state, — called by the natives or 
aborigines. 
Acute. — Of the sight, or hearing, keen. Of smell, quick. 
Of the ears or nose, pointed. 
Anomaly. — Irregularity, something out of rule. 
Anterior. — Going before, belonging to the fore quarter 
or fore parts. 
Canine. — Of the dog species, shaped like dog’s teeth. 
Cartilage. — A gristly tough substance. 
Criterion. — A standard whereby anything is judged of. 
Cylindrical. — Having a long, round body. 
Dilated. — Of the skin, expanded, or widened. Of the 
eye, with the pupil widely and openly developed. 
Dormitory. — A sleeping place. 
Excrescence. — Some substance growing out of, or on an- 
other. 
Fauna. — The animal kingdom. 
Gastric. — Belonging to the stomach. 
Habitat. — The place where an animal dwells,- — its haunts. 
Hybernate. — To pass the winter. 
Hypothesis. — A supposition. 
Identity. — Sameness in form and appearance. 
Incisor. — Cutting — a term applied to the teeth. 
