ACCOUNT OF A FEROCIOUS BEAST. 139 



to the non-conducung power of fluids. An examination of 

 (his would, however, extend farther this already too long 

 letter; but if you deem fuch an enquiry interefting, it may 

 be the fubjeel of a future communication, 

 I am, Sir, 



Your's with refpecl, 



T. S. TRAILL. 



%* As this letter did not come to hand till above a fort- 

 night after its dale, and the verbal defcription is very clear, 

 jt was not thought neceffary to poftpone it for engraving the, 

 puthor's fketch,— N. 



XIII. 



Indian Account of a remarkably fir ong and ferocious Beaft, ichich 

 (they fay) exified in the northern Parts of the State of New 

 York about two hundred Years ago. Collected and communi- 

 cated* by Mr. John Heckewelder. 



4- HE jagifhot (or naked animal, or bear, as fome of the Account of the 



Indians call it) was an animal much fuperior in fize to the^V." 1 " 1 * 1 , 



' r called jagifho by 



Jargeft bear. It was remarkably long-bodied, broad down itsthe American. 



fhoulders, but thin, or narrow at its hind legs, or juft at the Indians * 

 termination of the body. It had a large head and a frightful 

 look. Its legs were fliort and thick. Its paws (the toes of 

 which were furnimed with long nails or claws, nearly as long 

 as an Indian's finger) fpread very wide. Except the head, 

 the neck, and the hinder parts of its legs, in all which places 

 the hair was very long, the jagiftio was alrnoft naked of hair; 

 on which account the Indians gave it the name of " naked." 



Several of thefe animals had before this time been deftroyed 

 by the Indians, but this particular one had, from time to time, 

 deiiroyed many of the Indians, particularly women and chil- 

 dren, when they were out in the woods getting nuts, digging 

 roots, &c. or when they were working in the fields. Hunters 

 when fall purfued by this animal, had no means of efcaping 



* To the Editor of the Philadelphia Medical and Phyfical Jour- 

 nal, whence this is taken. ~ 

 f The Indian name of this beaft or animal* 



from 



