OEDEE OE CAENIYOEA. 
323 
molars, are thus called on account of their large and flattened 
crown, sometimes being entirely wanting in the lower jaw, where 
they are always fewer than in the upper jaw. 
The flesh-teeth and tubercular teeth differ, not only in their 
structure, hut also in the way in which they meet in the act of 
mastication, and by the special modifications which they com- 
municate to the food. The flesh -teeth are alternate in their 
action ; that is, they slip one over the other, something like the 
blades of a pair of scissors ; they are, therefore, eminently fitted 
to cut and divide flesh. The tubercular molars, on the contrary, 
being exactly opposite to each other, and fitting closely, crown to 
crown, are very well adapted to grind and triturate vegetable 
matters. 
From what has been already said, we may conclude that an 
animal will he carnivorous in his nature in proportion as the 
flesh- teeth are more, and the tubercular less developed ; and that, 
on the contrary, he will he omnivorous, that is, eating both flesh 
and vegetables, when these conditions are reversed. We may, 
therefore say, with Isidore Geofiroy Sainte-Hilaire, “ that the 
exact extent to which an animal is carnivorous, is defined with 
an almost mathematical accuracy by the modifications of its dental 
system, and especially of the flesh-teeth.” 
The Carnivorous Mammals, which are generally very agile in 
their habits, are handsome and perfect in organisation. 
Their limbs are well-proportioned, and their toes, which are 
entirely separated from each other, are terminated by stout and 
strong claws, more or less sharp according to their habits of life ; 
these, with their teeth, constitute their means of attack and 
defence. In all the members of the Feline tribe, — the Car- 
nivora par excellence , — the claws are retractile, that is, they 
have the power of withdrawing them into the interior of the 
paw at the will of the animal. This faculty is owing to the 
peculiar arrangement of the claws, and the action of a special 
muscle. The object of this ingenious contrivance is to keep the 
claws thoroughly sharp and pointed, by protecting them from all 
the causes which would wear them away, arising from walking 
and rubbing on the ground. 
The Carnivora vary very much in their mode of placing their 
feet on the ground. Some, such as Bears, Badgers, &c., tread 
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