CAT TRIBE. 
355 
only by the lower portion of its vertically expanded base. From the end of the 
second joint there runs a ligament to be inserted on the upper side of the base of 
the terminal joint, the ordinary action of which is to draw back the whole claw 
upon the upper surface of the second joint, when it becomes nearly concealed within 
its projecting sheath. To the under-side of the base of the terminal joint there is, 
however, inserted the end of a long tendon coming from one of the so-called flexor 
muscles of the fore-leg. When the animal springs upon its prey the paw, in the 
act of striking, is sharply bent upon the wrist by the action of these flexor muscles, 
the result of which is to pull downwards the terminal joints of the toes, and thus 
to fully expose the claws. In order to keep their claws in good condition, most 
cats—from the tiger downwards to the domestic cat—are in the habit of drawing 
them down the bark of trees, whereby they are rendered sharp and clean. 
All the species of cats walk solely upon their toes, and are hence termed 
digitigrade; the hinder part of the foot being entirely raised from the ground to 
form a continuation of the leg. This mode of progression indicates a higher 
specialisation than the so-called plantigrade mode of walking, in which, as exem¬ 
plified by the bears, the whole of the sole of the foot is applied to the ground. 
Formerly the distinction between digitigrade and plantigrade Carnivores was 
regarded as an important one in classification, but it is now known that nearly 
allied groups vary greatly in this respect, and that the character is a purely adaptive 
one. It has been already mentioned that the fore-feet of the cats are furnished with 
five toes. The innermost toe, corresponding to the human thumb, is, however, 
placed at a much higher level than the other four toes, and is consequently of no 
use in walking. The missing toe in the hind-foot corresponds to the human great 
toe. The stealthy walk characteristic of all the cats is due to the soft cushions, or 
pads, on the under-surface of the feet; each toe having a separate pad, behind which 
is a large pad occupying the middle of the sole of the foot. The fore-foot is thus 
furnished with six, and the hind-foot with five foot-pads. There is, however, on 
the fore-limb an additional pad on the outer side of the palmar aspect of the meta¬ 
carpus. The impression, or spoor, of a cat’s foot always shows the form and 
number of the pads, and it should be particularly noticed that in such impressions 
there is no mark of the claws, which in walking are completely retracted. This 
affords a ready means of distinguishing between the track of a cat and a dog. 
In order to enable them to lick off the meat from the bones, and perhaps also 
to aid in cleaning their beautiful fur, the tongues of all the cats are furnished with 
a number of flat processes, or papillae, which are inclined backwards, and enable 
the tongue to act as a most effective rasp. In this respect cats again differ very 
markedly from dogs, in which the tongue is quite smooth; and it is probable that 
this difference may be accounted for by the fact that the teeth of the dogs are 
adapted for cracking and breaking bones, which are then swallowed; while those 
of the cats are not suited for this purpose, and the bones of their prey are conse¬ 
quently licked clean and left. 
The fur of most members of the cat tribe is usually short, and of even length 
over the entire body; but the male lion is an exception in this respect, owing to 
the development of the large masses of long hair on the neck and shoulders. Such 
species as dwell in cold climates, like the ounce, have, however, much longer fur; 
