. The animals of the world. Brehm's life of animals;. Mammals. THE CAT FAMILY. 89 only weapons possessed by the feline animals, their claws being no less terrible instruments for seizing their prey and speedily terminating its existence. Their broad, rounded paws are proportionately short; for the last toe-joint is curved upwards. In repose and in ordinary walking two tendons keep the member in its upright position ; but when the animal is angry and needs its claws, a strong flexor muscle inserted below draws it down, stretches the paw and makes it an effective weapon. This struct- ure of the
. The animals of the world. Brehm's life of animals;. Mammals. THE CAT FAMILY. 89 only weapons possessed by the feline animals, their claws being no less terrible instruments for seizing their prey and speedily terminating its existence. Their broad, rounded paws are proportionately short; for the last toe-joint is curved upwards. In repose and in ordinary walking two tendons keep the member in its upright position ; but when the animal is angry and needs its claws, a strong flexor muscle inserted below draws it down, stretches the paw and makes it an effective weapon. This struct- ure of the feet enables the Cats to walk without leaving any traces of the claws, and the softness of their step is due to pads upon their soles. The Cats are both strong and agile and their every movement displays vigor and lithesome grace. Nearly all members of this family partake of the same physical and moral traits, although some special group may seem to have a particular advantage over the others. force of their spring. They are also capable of car- rying considerable burdens, and easily convey to a convenient hiding place animals they have killed, although their prey may be as large as themselves. Acute Senses Of their senses those of hearing and of the sight are the most acute. The ear Cat Family. undoubtedly is their guide on their hunting expeditions. They hear and determine the nature of noises at great distances ; the softest foot- fall or the slightest noise from crumbling sand is not lost upon them, and- they are thus able to locate prey that they cannot see. The sight is less keen, though it cannot be termed weak. Probably they are unable to see distant objects, but at short range their eyes are excellent. The pupil is' round in the larger species and dilates circularly when the animal is in a state of excitement; smaller species show an elliptical pupil, capable of great dilation. In the. TWE ROYAL TIfiEB Here is presented a faithful portrayal of the scourge of Asia in hi
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmammals, bookyear1895
