244 



BRANCH VERTEBRATA. 



FIG. 425. 



FIG. 426. 



Skeleton of a Bear. 



habits of life. Bears are carnivorous only from necessity, 



their preference being for roots, nuts, 

 honey, and even insects. Neither 

 species will ordinarily attack a man, 

 and the traditional hugging to death 

 of their victim, started probably 

 from their habit of holding their 

 prey, as a pig for instance, between 

 their fore-paws and breast, and walk- 

 ing off with it, for a short distance, 

 011 their hind-legs. The single Amer- 

 ican genus is thus tabulated: 



I Ur'stts am< r i c<T HUH. Black Bear. 



[ Ur't 



j- Ur' sus maritt'mus. White Bear. 



a, side view of Bear's upper jaw. 



6, Top view of Bear's lower jaw. 



c, side view of jaws shut. 



TERRESTRIAL AND ~| 



ARBOREAL. [ Soles of the feet naked, - 



TERRESTRIAL ONLY. J [Ur'sua hornb'ilin. Grizzly Bear. 



MARITIME . 



Soles of the feet covered 

 with hair. 



While the following species is limited to the Rocky 

 Mountain regions, the Blue/,' Bear, under a variety of 

 names, is distributed over North America. It feeds on 

 berries, acorns, and succulent vegetables; and will occa- 

 sionally raid the farmer's pig-sty. It is also known to 

 climb trees for honey, of which it is very fond. In the 



