CONCERNING BEARS. 



287 



extremely docile and amusing. The name sun-bear (Helarctos) has 

 been applied to the animal to indicate its habit of basking in the sun. 

 The spectacled bear ( Ursus ornatus), inhabiting the Cordilleras of 

 South America, displays all the distinctive features of the Malayan spe- 



Fig. 5. The Spectacled Bear {Ursus ornatus). 



cies except the semicircular white patches over the eyes which give 

 it its name. The two are evidently varieties of the same species. 



The brown bear ( Ursus arctos) is the most widely distributed of 

 all the species. It is found throughout Europe and Northern Asia, from 

 Scandinavia to the Himalayas. In size it is superior to the black 

 bear of America, but inferior to the polar bear. The length is gener- 

 ally from about five feet, and the weight five to six hundred pounds, 

 although it sometimes attains to seven or eight hundred pounds. The 

 color is brown, slightly variable in tint with different individuals, and 

 with the same individual at different ages. The neck of the younger 

 animal is in some cases encircled by a white collar, which disappears 

 as age increases. The prominence of the brow is much more marked 

 than in other species, the soles longer, the claws smaller. It hiber- 

 nates during the winter in caves and hollow trees, and, where these are 

 not to be found, in holes dug into the earth and covered with moss. 

 From one to four cubs are produced at a time. The principal food of 

 the brown bear is vegetable substances, honey, and the larvae of the 

 ant. Like the black bear, it is an excellent climber, and wages relent- 

 less warfare against the bees. The taste for animal food seems to be 

 not altogether natural, but when once acquired is never lost. An 

 individual having tasted blood will continue to depredate on the neigh- 

 boring folds until he falls a victim to the indignation of the farmer. 



It will occasionally attack man, especially in the colder parts of its 

 range, and is always dangerous and ferocious in combat. The Scan- 

 dinavians say in regard to this bear that it " has the strength of ten 



