Page:Fruits and Farinacea the Proper Food of Man.djvu/82

76 and grind the substances that come between them; but not in the least adapted to the killing, tearing, and gnawing of animals. In the Carnivora they shut within those of the upper jaw, so as to tear and cut the flesh on which they feed, preparatory to its being swallowed: when both series are viewed together, the general outline may be compared to the teeth of a saw, and their action to that of a pair of shears.

[ 8. Figure 25 is a correct representation of the teeth of a carnivorous animal, the tiger, which are similar to those of all specimens of the feline race. They differ from human teeth in being pointed, jagged, and crossing, instead of an even height at the meeting surfaces. It is apparent at a single glance, that food cannot be finely ground or masticated by such teeth, but can only be cut and torn.

In Figure 26 are seen the teeth of an omnivorous animal. Here the jaw, as in the case of the Carnivora, is restricted to the opening and shutting,

or cutting and tearing motion; all lateral or grinding motion being prevented by the great depth of the glenoid cavity, and by bony eminences before and behind.