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The shining of cats' eyes Post Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 0:16:49 +0000 The body is projected by the sudden straightening of the legs. (b) The great length and muscular power of the hind-legs, reaching far forwards beneath the body. The shining of cats' eyes in the dark is not due to light rays proceeding from their eyes, but to a reflection of rays (however few) entering the eye, from a membranous layer within the eye (the tapetum). Autor of the post: Undefined The flexible and elastic backbone Post Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 0:04:16 +0000 (c) The extraordinary elasticity of the body. If we bend a rod of cane or steel, hold the two ends together, and then let them go suddenly, the rod springs away a considerable distance. The flexible and elastic backbone of the cat works exactly like such a rod. Autor of the post: Undefined The slender flexible body also Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:49:53 +0000 This peculiarity of the body, together with the flexible joints of the legs, is of service to the cat in another way. When seized by an enemy, man or dog, she can turn round either fore-part or hind-part of her body, and so make use of her principal weapons, the claws. The slender flexible body also facilitates climbing, and enables her to creep through chinks and crevices (see Section e) ; and lastly, by skilful contortion of the body, she is able, even from a moderate height, to fall always on her feet. Autor of the post: Undefined When a man in falling Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:38:26 +0000 Why is this more difficult than when she falls from a greater height ? (d) The long, powerful tail, becoming somewhat weaker towards the end, which (in springing as in falling) serves as rudder. (e) The absence of the clavicles. When a man in falling tries to support himself on his arms, he may easily break them ; for as he possesses clavicles, and needs them (see p 11), his arms are firmly (without elasticity) connected with the shoulder-girdle, so that the shock in falling is not diminished. Autor of the post: Undefined When the weight Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:24:14 +0000 The cat, on the other hand, at every spring alights on the fore-legs. Fracture, however, does not take place, because the shoulder-blades are only connected with the skeleton of the trunk by ligaments and muscles, and yield to the shock (prove on the living animal how easily the shoulder-blades can be moved), and also because yet another safeguard occurs in the shoulder- joint. When the weight of the body comes on the fore-legs, the angle between the upper arm and shoulder-blade is diminished, enlarging again when the bones return to their resting position. Autor of the post: Undefined Any hole is big enough Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:07:31 +0000 (Hence we understand why all swift-running and springing animals have no clavicles.) The absence of the clavicles also enables the cat to compress the fore- part of the body in creeping through holes which are apparently much too small. Any hole is big enough if her head will pass through. Autor of the post: Undefined They are held Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:57:01 +0000 3 The last joints of the toes are provided with curved claws, the points of which are of needle-like sharpness, and which penetrate the body of the prey like daggers. To prevent these murderous weapons from becoming t blunt by contact with the ground, they, as well as the last joints of the toes, are bent upwards in walking, and concealed in a fold of the skin like a dagger in its sheath. They are held in this position by the tendon of a muscle and two strong elastic bands. Autor of the post: Undefined The flexible legs and sharp Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:39:54 +0000 If the animal, however, is roused or about to seize its prey, two flexor muscles, the tendons of which are attached to the under side of the two last joints, with lightning-like rapidity pull down these joints and the sickle-shaped claw, thus convert- ing the foot into a terrible weapon of attack. With the cessation of this contraction of the muscle, the tendon and elastic bands mentioned above draw back the joints of the toe and the claws into their original position. The flexible legs and sharp claws also enable the animal to climb up high objects, such as trees, walls, etc. Autor of the post: Undefined 1 Holding its victim tightly Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:22:52 +0000 , with ease and safety, and thus aid it in the pursuit of birds. Finally, the sharp claws serve it as a much- dreaded weapon of defence against its enemies (dogs). 1 Holding its victim tightly in its claws, the cat soon kills it with a few powerful bites, the long and pointed canine teeth entering the flesh like knives, and inflicting almost instantaneous death. Autor of the post: Undefined into pieces Post Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:06:18 +0000 Overlapping each other, and thus forming pincers, as it were, these teeth hold the prey tight, and prevent it from escaping. 2 (a) The molar teeth form excellent instruments for tearing the prey Metatarsal bones; 1, 2 and 3, first, second and third digital joints; tendon of the muscle (which lies higher upon the foot) which effects the retraction of the claw; elastic band ; tendon of the muscle which bends the second digital joint ; tendon of the muscle (penetrating through B 2) which effects the flexion (protraction) of the third digital joint and the claw. into pieces. 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