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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



not hibernate, unless it is fat at the beginning of the winter. The 

 young, varying from one to four in number, are brought forth during 

 hibernation in January or February. At first they are not more than 

 six to eight inches long, and are covered with gray hair. They retain 

 this color until the second year, when it gives place to black. The 

 yellow Carolina bear is merely the young black bear assuming its dis- 

 tinctive color. 



The black bear is much hunted for its skin, and the fat which con- 

 stitutes the esteemed bear's-grease of commerce. Its numbers have 

 been greatly diminished from this fact. Its flesh forms a good article 

 of food, resembling pork, but with a peculiar flavor. Although easily 

 tamed and naturally docile, it is a dangerous combatant when pursued 

 and roused. The cinnamon bear ( JJrsus occidentalis) is a variety of 

 the black bear, differing in color, as indicated by its name. It is found 

 in California, and generally west of the Rocky Mountains. 



Fig. 4. Malayan Sttn-Bear (Helarctos Malayanus). 



In the building to the west of the Museum we find a small female 

 specimen of the Malayan sun -bear [Helarctos Malayanus). It no 

 sooner observes us pause, than it rears up and extends its paw through 

 the bars in a singularly imploring manner to induce us to give it some 

 food. This, however, we are politely warned against doing by the fol- 

 lowing notice, " Please donHfeed the animals ! " which is placed against 

 the cage. The Malayan bear is one of the smallest of the Ursidai fam- 

 ily, being at its greatest development only about four feet six inches 

 long. Its color is deep black, with a yellowish muzzle and a white 

 spot on the breast in the shape of a crescent with the horns turned 

 up. The neck is shorter and thicker than in other species. Its diet 

 is chiefly vegetable, the cocoa-nut being its favorite food. It is very 

 destructive to the cocoa-nut groves, from its habit of devouring the 

 succulent shoots that crown the tree. It is easily tamed, and becomes 



