论动物部分（下）.pdfVIP

ON T H E P AR T S OF A N IM A LS 1 B o o k I I I 1 WE have next to consider the teeth, and with these the mouth, that is the cavity which they enclose and form .The teeth have one invariable office, namely the reduction of food ; but be- sides this general function they have other special ones, and these differ in different groups .T hus in some animals the teeth serve as weapons ; but this with a distinction . For there are offensive weapons and there are defensive weapons ; and while in some ani- mals, as the wild Carnivora, the teeth answer both purposes, in many others, both wild and domesticated, they serve only for de- fence .In man the teeth are admirably constructed for their gener- al office, the front ones being sharp, so as to cut the food into bits, and the hinder ones broad and flat, so as to grind it to a pulp ; while between these and separating them are the dog - teeth, which, in accordance with the rule that the mean partakes 论动物部分 2 of both extremes, share in the characters of those on either side, being broad in one part but sharp in another .Similar distinctions of shape are presented by the teeth of other animals, with the ex- ception of those whose teeth are one and all of the sharp kind .In man, however, the number and the character even of these sharp teeth have been mainly determined by the requirements of speech .For the front teeth of man contribute in many ways to the formation of letter - sounds . In some animals, however, the teeth, as already said, serve merely for the reduction of food .When, besides this, they serve as offensive and defensive weapons, they may either be formed into tusks, as