204 THE BEAK'S SUPPOSED OBJECT. [June, 



weight. The object apparently in view was to break a 

 hole in the ice. In order to effect this, the claws were 

 first put into requisition, and, as nimbly and gracefully as 

 a dog, did the huge creature tear up and scatter snow 

 and ice to the winds : having removed, as she imagined, 

 sufficient, she then appeared to estimate her distance, 

 calculate on her leap, and in the effort came down per- 

 pendicular on her fore-paws over the spot which she had 

 scratched. Something, she imagined, had been effected. 

 She continued to repeat this scratching and amusing 

 mode of pounding until at length she appeared satisfied, 

 when she assumed an attitude of " dead point," with fore- 

 paw raised, and remained for some time immovable. The 

 question occurred to me, " Is this a mode, by concussion 

 and making a hole, of seducing a seal within gripe?" for 

 I have repeatedly noticed that when we cut for tide-pole, 

 fire-hole, etc., that these inquisitive animals will show 

 themselves. This, however, I leave for others to verify. 

 We now proceed to other business. Punch had rejoined : 

 Mr. Loney and one or two of the party, attended by the 

 dogs, endeavoured to get within shot : but Punch, poor 

 fellow, was done up, and could not be brought to the 

 scratch. The cub evidently had sealed orders to open 

 somewhere south-west : she bore up. Mamma steered 

 away south-east, and parted company, apparently after 

 the former bear, possibly her husband, and our party re- 

 turned to pemmican and sleep. The experience we have 

 had of bears' habits fully warrants the impression that 

 they are afraid of man, dog, or wolf, singly, and would 

 inevitably run from them if escape was available ; but 

 cases may occur where, finding themselves suddenly and 



