CARNARIA 



83 



and nocturnal life of the Insectivora, and, like them, have no ccrcum : most of those which 

 inhabit cold countries pass the winter in a state of lethargy. All have five toes to each loot. 



The Bears (Ursus, Lin.) — 



Possess three large molars on each side of both jaws*, altogether tuberculous, and of which the poste- 

 rior above are the most extended. These are preceded ly a tooth a little more trenchant, which is the 

 carnivorous tooth of this genus f, and by a variable number of very small false molars, which sometimes 

 fall at an early age. This system of dentition, almost frugivorous, explains why, notwithstanding their 

 great strength, the animals of this genus devour flesh only from necessity. 



They are large stout-bodied animals, with thick limbs, and tail extremely short : the cartilage of their 

 nose is elongated and moveable. They excavate dens and construct huts [?], where they pass the 

 winter in a state of somnolency more or less profound, and without taking food. It is in these retreats 

 that the female brings forth. 



The species are not easily distinguished by obvious characters. 



The Brown Hear (U. arctos, Lin.) of Europe, has the forehead convex : fur, brown, more or less woolly when 

 young, becoming smoother with age. It varies, however, considerably in colour, and also in the relative propor- 

 tion of parts: the young have generally a pale collar, which in some is permanent. This animal inhabits the 

 high mountains and extensive forests of Europe, together with a great part of Asia. [The Barren-ground Bear of 



North America appears to be Undistinguishable.] 

 -v It couples in June, and brings forth in January ; 



nestles sometimes very high up in trees: its flesh 

 is good eating when young, anil the paws are much 

 esteemed at all ages. [The Black Bear of Europe 

 is now generally regarded as a mere variety.] 



The Black Hear it*, amerteamu, 6m.) of North 

 America, is a species well distinguished, with a 

 flat forehead, smooth and black fur, and fulvous 

 muzzle. We have always found the small teeth 

 behind its canines tube more numerous than in 

 the Hear of Europe. It lives chiefly on wild fruits, 

 and where fish is abundant sometimes frequents 

 the shores for the purpose of catching it ; resorts 

 to flesh only in default of other food, [and is then 

 destructive to Pigs ; is a great devourer of homy, 

 in common with most others of the genus] : its 

 flesh is highly esteemed. There is another Black 

 Bear found in the Cordilleras, with white throat 

 Fi({. 24.-The Black Bear. and muzzle, ami lar-e fulVOUi e\ c-bpiw s (J7. OF- 



natut, F. Cuv.), [considered by many to be a variety of f '. americanui. The Jardin de* Plajttet, however, has lately 

 received a Hear from the Peruvian Amies, which appears very distinct : colour of XT. arctot, with larger ears. 



The gigantic Grisly Hear tr. fcro.i), now a well-known species, from the Rocky Mountains of North America, is 

 the most formidable of all the land Bears, and by much the largest. It can only ascend trees, as the others do, 

 •ben young. It constitutes the ill-characterized subgenus Da nix of (iray. 



The Syrian Hear (I', igriaau) is of a fulvous white colour, with a stiff mane uf close erected hairs be- 

 tween the shoulders. The species which inhabits the Atlas chain of mountains remains to be ascertain' 

 The Bast Indies produce Beveral Hears of a black colour; such as 



The Malayan Hear | V. maloyantu) ; from the pen insula beyond the Ganges to the islands Of the Strait-, of Sunda. 

 — Sleek [with comparatively short fur], a fulvous muzzle, and heart-shaped mark of the same colour upon the chest. 

 [This, and another species, or perhaps variety, (''. euryipilut,) with the whole chest fulvous, from Borneo, consti- 

 tute the division Helarctot of Horsfield, or the Sun Hun*. They are small, and of verj gentle and playful d 

 sitiiui, easily rendered quite tame.] It is very injurious t" the cocoa-nut trees, which it climbs in order to devour 

 the tops, and drink the milk of the fruit. 



The Thibet Bear(J7. thibeticut, F. Cuv.) — Black ; the under lip, and a large mark in the form of a V on the 

 breast, white ; profile straight and claws weak. ^ls intermediate to the preceding and next species Prom the 

 mountains in the north of India. 



The most remarkable, however, of all these Indian Hears is the following, of which Uliger forms I 

 Prockilut. 



• We sh.itl QQ lo-DgCf n-prat the WOrdl "" ffflcA lt<Y'\ Sic, i It 



■odetll I tli.t mImt.' Oic molars of one side arc apokeDof, 



ol too other coma| I- 



t Although il mav *rrnl presumptuous t.i attempt t.t s.-t Carter 



ri^lii in matltnoi Ihti kind, it i, ooTerthaleai rarlolentrf eb\ 



analogical comparison nf the lirnr'n dentition with that ofpnudatatt 



genera, thai the il.ir.i t u In n "t» 'he 



enttlug or cararroroue tooth In i iflwoiuhen 



grinders In thla and the Ire too I .rthrt rom- 



poic a dietinct natural group), a ider.- r d. 



c 2 



