CONCERNING BEARS. 



289 



went into the wood. The brown bear is spread over Asia, from the 

 Himalayas northward, but in different localities it undergoes slight 

 modifications of color, and has therefore received different names; 

 hence the Siberian bear ( Ursus collaris), and the Syrian bear ( U. Isa- 

 beUinus). The former is said to have a white collar around the neck, 



Fig. 7. Sykian Beak (Ursus IsabeUima). 



which is probably the distinctive mark of the younger bear. In the 

 latter, the brown color changes into a yellowish hue, from which the 

 term Isabel bear is derived. The brown bear of the Himalayas is of the 

 same species. It seems likely also that it inhabits the extreme north- 

 western part of North America. Sir John Richardson relates having 

 found in the barren lands lying to the northward and eastward of the 

 Great Slave Lake, extending to the Arctic Sea,- a bear which agrees 

 with this in many respects. Still, nothing definite is known to estab- 

 lish the identity of the two. 



One of the most curious members of the bear family is the Asiatic 

 or sloth bear ( Ursus labiatus). It is distinguished from other bears 

 by the length of its hair, the length and flexibility of its lips, and the 

 peculiar manner in which the fore-feet cross each other in walking. 

 Its fur is deep-black, slightly flecked with brown, but it has a forked 

 patch of white upon the breast. The hair from the head and neck 

 hangs down over the face, and gives the animal a weird appearance. 

 It seems to be subject to the early loss of its incisor teeth, from the 

 absence of which, in the first specimens carried to England, it was sup- 

 posed to be a species of gigantic sloth. It is almost wholly a vege- 

 table feeder, and, it is said, will resort to animal food only in cases of 

 extreme hunger. It is quite harmless unless retreat is cut off, when, 

 like its relatives, it becomes savage and dangerous. The mother -will 

 fight bravely in defense of her young, which she usually carries upon 

 her back until they have acquired strength enough to make good trav- 

 elers. It is an inhabitant of the Himalayas, where it remains in caves 



TOL. VI. 19 



