BEAKS. 351 



are taught performing bears do not count for much as 

 proof of high sagacity, as they for the most part consist 

 in teaching the animals to assume unnatural positions, 

 or display grotesque antics performances which speak 

 indeed for the general docility of the creatures, but 

 scarcely for their high intelligence. Still even here it is 

 worth while to remark that all species of bears would pro- 

 bably not lend themselves to this kind of education, for 

 the emotional temperament manifested by the different 

 species is unquestionably diverse. Thus, making all 

 allowances for exaggeration, it seems certain that the 

 grizzly bear displays a courage and ferocity which are 

 foreign to the disposition of the brown bear, and indeed 

 to that of most other animals. The polar bear likewise 

 displays much bravery under the influence of hunger or 

 maternal feeling, although under other circumstances it 

 usually deems discretion the better part of valour. The 

 following incident displays considerable intelligence on 

 the part of this animal. 



Scoresby, in his ' Account of the Arctic Regions,' gives 

 the instance to which I allude : 



The animal with two cubs was being pursued by a party of 

 sailors over an ice-field. She urged her young to an increase 

 of speed by running before them, turning round, and manifest- 

 ing, by a peculiar action and voice, her anxiety for their pro- 

 gress ; but finding that her pursuers were gaining upon them, 

 she earned, or pushed, or pitched them alternately forward, 

 until she effected their escape. In throwing them before her, 

 the little creatures placed themselves across her path to receive 

 the impulse ; and when projected some yards in advance, they 

 ran onwards until she overtook them, when they alternately 

 adjusted themselves for a second throw. 



As the polar bear is not exposed to any enemies except 

 man, this method of escaping is not likely to be instinc- 

 tive, but was probably an intelligent adaptation to the 

 particular circumstances of the case. 



Mr. S. J. Hutchinson writes me as follows with regard 

 to this same species : 



One Sunday, at the ' Zoo,' some one threw a bun to the bears, 

 but it fell in the water in that q\iadrant-shaped pond you will 



