THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 32S 



" I could not make out the reason of it at first, until one of the bystanders pulled a corner 

 of the blanket of the pilot's bed, when, to my surprise, the jerk was answered by an indolent 

 growl. My friend Bruin having got drenched by the shower, had broken his chain in disgust, 

 and actually found his way to the pilot's bed, clambered into it, and rolled himself carefully 

 between the blankets. The good-humored pilot was not in the least angry, but, on the con- 

 trary, highly amused, replying to my apologies as I kicked out his strange bed-fellow, ' Oh ! 

 never mind, mister ; why, what's the hindrance to the blankets being dried again ? ' " 



The same animal had contracted a strong friendship with a little antelope which was a 

 fellow-voyager with himself ; and on one occasion performed a most chivalrous service in 

 behalf of its defenceless little friend. 



As the antelope was being led through the streets, towards the vessel, a large mastiff flew 

 at it, and was with difficulty kept at bay by the voice and stick of the person who was leading 

 the terrified little creature. Mr. Palliser, who was following with the Bear, rushed to the 

 rescue, but was outrun by the Bear, who dashed boldly forward and closed with the assailant 

 in a moment. A fierce combat ensued, in which the Bear refrained at first from using his 

 teeth or claws, and contented himself with seizing the mastiff in his powerful arms, and flinging 

 him on his back with such violence that it rolled over and over on the ground. The dog, 

 cheered by the voice of its master, succeeded at last in giving the Bear a tolerably sharp grip 

 between its teeth. Incensed by the pain, Bruin lost his temper, and seizing the dog in his 

 arms, squeezed the breath nearly out of its body, and was preparing to use its teeth, when the 

 dog, which was rapidly choking under the terrible pressure of the Bear's arms, contrived to 

 extricate itself by a sudden struggle, and ran away with piteous howls, leaving the Bear 

 master of the field. 



The length of a well-grown adult male is rather more than eight feet six inches, and the 

 girth round the body is equal to the length. The weight of such an animal is rather more 

 than eight hundred pounds. Specimens still larger are sometimes killed, but the average 

 weight and dimensions are as given above. 



The powerful claws of this animal are employed not only for combat, but in digging up 

 the earth for various purposes, such as the search after various roots and bulbs, and the inter- 

 ment of some large animal which they have killed. The instinct for burying their prey is so 

 largely developed in these creatures that they have more than once been deceived by the craft 

 of a hunter, who, when resistance or escape was impracticable, has simulated death in order to 

 disarm the wrath of the terrible animal. Thinking the man to be dead, and not being irri- 

 tated by wounds, the Bear proceeds to scratch a pit in the earth, and to drag the unresisting 

 prey into the hollow, and to cover him carefully with grass and leaves, pressing them well 

 down, so as to conceal him effectually. Satisfied with its precaution, the Bear betakes itself 

 to rest, and the buried hunter seizes the opportunity of slipping quietly away while the ani- 

 mal is engaged in repose. 



Grizzly Bears kept in captivity have always attracted great attention by their amusing 

 and playful habits. Two of these underwent once a surgical operation, while under the influ- 

 ence of chloroform. Bears are subject to ophthalmia, especially when in confinement, and are 

 often totally deprived of sight by this disease. Until the discovery of the anaesthetic powers 

 of chloroform, the poor animals were doomed to hopeless blindness, but at the present day the 

 Bear is rendered as quiet and harmless as a guinea-pig under the influence of this potent vapor. 



In order to place the sponge that contained the chloroform fairly under the animal's 

 nostrils, it was necessary to bring its head close to the bars of the cage, an operation which 

 was with difficulty effected by the united efforts of four strong men. The sponge was then 

 affixed to its snout, and in a very short time the animal was lying on the floor of its cage, 

 without sense or motion. The door was then opened, and the Bear's head being laid on a 

 plank oiitside the cage, the operator speedily removed the obstacle. The animal was then 

 replaced in the cage, where it lay for five or six minutes without motion, and at last contrived 

 to get on its legs, and walk very unsteadily into its den. The next morning saw the Bear sitting 

 at its ease, restored to sight, and feeling no apparent inconvenience from the contrast between 

 the morning's light and the thick dullness that had for so long a time oppressed its vision. 



