Hitherto we have seen the carnivorous organisation in a comparatively mitigated state, but we now approach Cuvior's third family, the Cernirora, properly so called, which have every part of their frame, in the cats especially, formed for the destruction of other animals. In two of the tribes, but more pnrticularly in one, namely, the Plantiyredes, the carnivorous form is indeed somewhat modified ; but among these three tribes we find the greatest harmony of parts, fitted for keeping down the numbers of the granivorous and phyto phagous animals, to be anywhere observed among the Mamma/la.
HI. Carnirora.
In this family we have the thirst for blood at its highest degree of development, and with it the power and the instruments for gratifying the appetite. Four large, long, and distant canines, separated by the intervention of six incisors in each jaw (the root of the second of the lower incisors being a little deeper planted than the others)—molars, either formed entirely with cutting edges, or constructed partly with blunt tubercles ; these, with the powerful mechanism of the jaw in which they are set, present a most formidable apparatus for finishing the bloody task which the rest of the frame of the Carnivore is so nicely adapted for commencing and continuing. The more completely trenchant these molars are, the more completely carnivorous are the habits of the animal, and the different gradations may be in general safely traced by observing the proportional extent of surface, con sidered with reference to its tubercular or cutting shape. The Bears, which, takcu as a whole, may be said to be capable of supporting themselves entirely on vegetables, have nearly all their molar teeth tuberculated. [Bean.] The anterior molars have the most cutting edges, and then comes a molar larger than the rest, with a tuberculated heel or process inoro or less developed, and bellied it one or two small teeth almost entirely flat. With these small teeth the clogs, as Baron Cuvier has observed, masticate the grass which they occasionally swallow for medicinal purposes : he also agrees with M. Frederic Cuvicr in naming the great molar above and its antagonist below camaasieres,' or flue& cutters; the anterior pointed molars, false molars; and the posterior blunt molars, 'tubereuleuses,' or tuberculated molars.
By observing these differences of dental form, the genera of Carnivore are most surely established, and it may be laid down as n general rule, that those carnivorous animals which have the shortest jaw and the least development of the false molars arc those in which the sanguinary propensity and the destructive power co-exist iu the highest degree.
Many of the genera apply the whole sole of the foot (particularly of the hinder one) to the ground in walking, and this solo is generally destitute of hair. These arc called Plantiyrada.
Others again walk on the tips of the toes, as it were, and these, the Digitigrada, are endowed with great swiftness of foot. The clavicle
in both is merely a bony rudiment suspended in the flesh.
Cuvier divides his Carnirora into the four following tribes:— I. Plantigrade.
These possess a great facility, from the structure of the sole, of rearing themselves up on the hind feet. Cuvier observes that they participate in the compa rative slow motion and noc turnal life of the Inaectivora, and that they are like them deprived of a mecum. The greater part of those whose geographical dis tribution is confined to cold countries pass the winter in a dormant state. They have all five toes on each foot [BEAR; BADGER.] The annexed cut will serve as an example of the dental form and arrangement.
Con of their life is spent. The moment the Seal enters the water he is completely at his ease. Then the oar-like membranous hands and feet, or flippers, as some of our northern navigators not unaptly term them, the elongated body and moveable spine with its powerful mus cular machinery, the narrow pelvis, and the close waterproof fur, afford, when taken_ together, a model for swimming. The annexed cut of the skull of a Common Seal will illustrate the general form and arrangement of the teeth. [SEALS.] Nom common naager ',metes Teacarts.) 2. Digitigrades.
This tribe is separated by Cuvier into two subdivisions:— Subdivision a.
The animals composing this subdivision have been called Vermiform, from the comparatively great length and flexibility of their bodies and the shortness of their legs. Every one who has watched the serpentine movements of a ferret must have been struck with the great facility of motion given by this form, and its particular adapta tion for passing through small openings and narrow burrows, and turning therein. Like the former families they have no crecum, but unlike them they are not lethargic in winter. Though small they are of indomitable courage and ferocity, and literally most blood thirsty, for the greater part of them live principally upon that fluid.
The annexed cut will give an example of the general form of the skull and teeth.
Subdivision b.
These have two flat tuberculated molars behind the upper great flesh-cutter, which has itself a sufficiently large heel or process. Many of these live upon carrion, and all have a small mecum. (Cams.] We refer to the next cut for a general idea of the dental system.
Remains of the Mammiferous Carnivore are found abundantly in the Ossiferous caverns and Osseous Brescia. Those of a lion, a tiger [Fmas], bears, a glutton, a weasel, a wolf [Cams], a fox, a dog, and hyaenas, have been satisfactorily identified ; but the bears, especially the great Cavern Bear (Ursus Spelreas)(Bsers), and the hyaenas [11y.tErre] seem to have been predominant in many of the localities.