Fig. 333.—Wild Cat of Africa (Felis maniculata), × ⅛.
What is the shape and the position of the ears? Are they large or small compared with those of most mammals? They are fitted best for catching sound from what direction? What is thus indicated in regard to the cat’s habits? (Compare with ears of rabbit.) Touch the whiskers of the cat. What result? Was it voluntary or involuntary motion? Are the nostrils relatively large or small compared with those of a cow? Of man?
Is the neck long or short? Animals that have long fore legs usually have what kind of neck? Those with short legs? Why? How many toes on a fore foot? Hind foot? Why is this arrangement better than the reverse? Some mammals are sole walkers (plantigrade), some are toe walkers (digitigrade). To which kind does the cat belong? Does it walk on the ends of the toes? Does it walk with all the joints of the toes on the ground? Where is the heel of the cat? (Fig. [334].) The wrist? To make sure of the location of the wrist, begin above: find the shoulder blade, the upper arm (one or two bones?), the lower arm (one or two bones?), the wrist, the palm, and the fingers (Fig. [337]). Is the heel bone prominent or small?
Fig. 334.—Ocelot (Felis pardalis), of Texas and Mexico. × ⅑.
In what direction does the knee of the cat point? The heel? The elbow? The wrist? Compare the front and the hind leg in length; straightness; heaviness; number and position of toes; sharpness of the claws. What makes the dog’s claws duller than a cat’s? What differences in habit go with this? Judging from the toe that has become useless on the fore foot of the cat, which toe is lacking in the hind foot? Is it the cat’s thumb or little finger that does not touch the ground? (Fig. [337].) Locate on your own hand the parts corresponding to the pads on the forefoot of a cat. Of what use are soft pads on a cat’s foot?
Some animals have short, soft fur and long, coarse over hair. Does the cat have both? Is the cat’s fur soft or coarse? Does the fur have a colour near the skin different from that at the tip? Why is hair better suited as a covering for the cat than feathers would be? Scales? Where are long, stiff bristles found on the cat? Their length suggests that they would be of what use to a cat in going through narrow places? Why is it necessary for a cat to be noiseless in its movements?
Fig. 335.—Lynx (Lynx rufus). The “Bob-tailed cat” (North America).
Observe the movements of the cat.—Why cannot a cat come down a tall tree head foremost? Did you ever see a cat catch a bird? How does a cat approach its prey? Name a jumping insect that has long hind legs; an amphibian; several mammals (Figs. [362], [374]). Does a cat ever trot? Gallop? Does a cat chase its prey? When does the cat move with its heel on the ground? The claws of a cat are withdrawn by means of a tendon (see Fig. [338]). Does a cat seize its prey with its mouth or with its feet.?