CAT TRIBE. 
353 
OUTER (A) AND ORAL (b) ASPECTS OF THE RIGHT 
UPPER FLESH-TOOTH OF THE STRIPED HYiENA. 
exemplified in that of the striped hyaena represented in the accompanying woodcut, 
consists of an outer blade, and of a strong tubercle on the inner side. The blade, as 
in the figured specimen, may consist of three 
lobes, or as in the dogs and civets, of only 
two such lobes, which bite on the outer 
side of the lower flesh-tooth, in a manner 
well known to all who have ever examined 
the skull of a tiger, lion, dog, etc. The lower 
flesh-tooth, of which an example is repre¬ 
sented in the next figure, likewise has a 
large cutting-blade on the outer side of its 
front portion, which is invariably divided 
into two distinct lobes, of which the second 
is generally the taller. In the more general¬ 
ised Carnivores, such as the dogs, the second lobe of the blade of this tooth has a 
small cusp (c) on its inner side; while posteriorly the tooth is extended in the 
form of a long heel (d). The lower flesh-tooth of the more specialised forms, such 
as the hysenas and cats, consists, however, only of the two-lobed blades, with or 
without a minute inner ” 
b b 
cusp and a small hind 
ledge representing the 
heel. 
Under the general 
title of cats it is found 
convenient to include all 
the living representatives 
of the extensive family of 
the Felidae, the whole of 
which, with the single 
exception of the hunting- 
leopard, are classed in the 
genus Felis. In this sense 
lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, pumas, lynxes, and the smaller species more nearly 
allied to the domestic cat, are all designated Cats. 
The members of the Cat family may be regarded as the ideal representatives 
of the Carnivores, being those most completely adapted in all parts of their structure 
for the pursuit and destruction of living prey. Their long, lithe bodies exhibit in 
its fullest perfection the combination of strength and agility distinctive of Carni¬ 
vores in general; while their strength is so great that the larger species are enabled 
to kill and drag away animals of far greater bulk than their own. 
The essential characteristics of the living cats are to be found in the extreme 
OUTER (A) AND INNER (b) ASPECTS OF THE RIGHT LOWER FLESH-TOOTH OF 
AN EXTINCT DOG-LIKE CARNIVORE. 
a, b, first and second lobes of the blades ; c inner cusp of do.; d, heel. 
—After Kittl. 
shortness of their muzzles; in the reduction of the number of their teeth far below 
that in the more generalised Carnivores, such as the dogs; in the powerful develop¬ 
ment of their tusks and flesh-teeth; and in their strongly curved and retractile 
claws, as well as in the free and supple movements of their fore-paws. Omitting 
mention of certain features distinctive of the skulls of the cats and their nearest 
vol. i.—23 
