. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 478 CARNIVORA. system, will be found altogether subservient to the office of procuring that peculiar kind of food to which these animals are restricted, and the modifications of that structure which have been described as appertaining to different types of form in the order, are equally con- sonant with the modified nature of their ali- ment. Thus, whilst the powerful yet active and flexible movements of the typical Carni- vora are adapted only to the pursuit and de- struction of living prey, the more sluggish habits of
. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 478 CARNIVORA. system, will be found altogether subservient to the office of procuring that peculiar kind of food to which these animals are restricted, and the modifications of that structure which have been described as appertaining to different types of form in the order, are equally con- sonant with the modified nature of their ali- ment. Thus, whilst the powerful yet active and flexible movements of the typical Carni- vora are adapted only to the pursuit and de- struction of living prey, the more sluggish habits of most of the bear tribe, their peculiar mode of progression, and the modified structure of the skull, the teeth, and the limbs, are all equally applicable to the mixed nature of their food ; and the third principal type—that of the amphibious curnivora, the Seals— exhibits an arrangement of these organs not less admirably fitted for the pursuit and capture of their aquatic and scaly prey. The digestive organs of each of these prominent groups are not less perfectly formed for the digestion of their vari- ous food, than the organs which have already been described are for its capture. The teeth have already been slightly alluded to, but they deserve a more particular description. In the cats, the character of the teeth is typically car- nivorous. The incisores are very small, as indeed they are throughout the whole order. The canine teeth are, on the contrary, pre- eminently strong, long and sharp, and are evidently adapted for seizing and holding their prey and afterwards tearing in pieces the flesh and other soft parts of the animals. These teeth are conical and very slightly curved, a form which, united with their sharpness and strength, is the best that can be imagined for effecting this object. The cheek teeth, instead of having flat grinding surfaces, have, for the most part, only cutting edges; and those of the lower jaw shut within the upper, passing them so closely
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