. An introduction to zoology : for the use of high schools . wolverines (GhIo), otters (Lutra), and sea-otters (Enhi/dra). The third family (Virenidce), embracing the civetcats and the ichneumons {Herpestes), is chiefly an Old World family, as isthat of the Tlyoinidce, but the dogs {Canidoe) and cats (Felidoe) are abund-antly represented on both continents, the former embracing the dogs,foxes, wolves and jackals ; the latter, the lions, tigers, leopards, lynxesand cats of the Old^ World, and the pumas, ounces and lynxes of theNew. 34. A veiy interesting branch of the Carnivora is that of thePi
. An introduction to zoology : for the use of high schools . wolverines (GhIo), otters (Lutra), and sea-otters (Enhi/dra). The third family (Virenidce), embracing the civetcats and the ichneumons {Herpestes), is chiefly an Old World family, as isthat of the Tlyoinidce, but the dogs {Canidoe) and cats (Felidoe) are abund-antly represented on both continents, the former embracing the dogs,foxes, wolves and jackals ; the latter, the lions, tigers, leopards, lynxesand cats of the Old^ World, and the pumas, ounces and lynxes of theNew. 34. A veiy interesting branch of the Carnivora is that of thePinilipedia often placed in an independent order, and muchmodified in accordance with their aquatic mode of life. Thereis a marked tendency in this group, which contains the Seals, ISO HIGH SCHOOL ZOOLOGY. Walrus, etc., towards the reduction in number of the incisorteeth j the canines are rarely tusk-like, and the extrenaities areconverted into flijjpers, the hinder ones being turned backwardsparallel with the short tail (Fig. UG). The seals proper are those. J CO «: l^-^J Fig. 116.—Skeleton of Seal,vc. cervical, vd. dorsal, vl. lumbar, s. sacral, vca. caudal regions of vertebral column •h. humerus; r. radius; c. carpus ; me. metacarpus; ph. phalanges; sc. scapula ; coribs. which are least adapted for locomotion on land; the walruses andsea-lions, on the other hand, can raise themselves off the groundby the aid of their limbs, and the flippers of the sea-lions evenhave divisions, corresponding to the toes. As a rule there isno external ear, the head is rounded, and the cylindrical bodydiminishes in girth towards the tail. Of the three families distinguished, that containing the eared-seals(Otaria;), is nearest such Carnivora as the sea-otter, the structure ofthe flippers and their habits suggesting a less perfect adaptation to anaquatic life than we meet with in the seals proper. In most of thespecies the coat is formed of stiff, bristly hairs alone, but in several,such as t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1889
