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OF THE CUSPIDATUS. 77
another, or in young subjects. Their points commonly project
beyond the horizontal line formed by the row of Teeth, and
their fangs run deeper into the Jaws, and are oftener a little
bent.
In the Upper-Jaw they are rather longer, and do not project
much beyond the circle of the adjacent Teeth ; and in this Jaw
they are not placed vertically, their bodies being turned a little
forwards and outwards.
When the Jaws are closed, the Cuspidatus of the Upper-Jaw
falls between, and projects a little over the Cuspidatus and first
Bicuspis of the Lower-Jaw. When they are a little worn down
by use, they commonly first take an edge somewhat like a worn
Incisor, and afterwards become rounder, (h)
The use of the Cuspidati would seem to be, to lay hold of
substances, perhaps even living animals ; they are not formed
for dividing as the Incisores are ; nor are they fit for grinding.
We may trace in these teeth a similarity in shape, situation, and
use, from the most imperfectly carnivorous animal, which we
believe to be the human specie's, to the most perfectly carnivor-
ous, viz. the lion, (i)

(h) [In the different varieties of the human species, the canines pre-
sent no constant variation. It has been asserted that they are more
acuminated in the Melanian races. An examination of a large number
of Negro and Negrito crania, however, has led the Editor to the con-
clusion that there is no constant difference in the configuration of the
cuspidati in those races. Their prominence, like that of the incisors,
is generally in proportion to the greater or less degree of prognathic
conformation]
(i) That our conclusions as to the functions of an organ as it exists
in man, when drawn exclusively from analogous structures in the lower
animals, will frequently prove erroneous, is strikingly shown in these
observations on the use of the cuspidatus. The simple and obvious use
of this tooth, in the human species, is to tear such portions of food as
are too hard or tough to be divided by the incisors ; and we frequently
find it even far more developed in animals which are known to be ex-
clusively frugivorous. Not only is its structure wholly unadapted for
such an object as that assigned to it in the text, but there is no anal-
ogous or other ground for supposing that man was originally constructed
for the pursuit and capture of living prey. His naturally erect posi-