TIJK POLAR BEAR. ^S 



In shape the polar bear deviates more than any of the spe- 

 cies from the generic type. It stands lower on the limbs, 

 which are very strong and thick; the body seems consequent- 

 ly longer in proportion, but it is the neck and head that more 

 especially possess this elongated character. The latter is 

 narrow and tapering, and its contour presents a continuous 

 line without that separation of the forehead from the muzzle 

 which we observe in the brown bear. The projecting eye- 

 brows are a peculiar character in the white bear. The eyes 

 have the disproportionate smallness common to the genus ; 

 but the ears are much shorter than in the land bears, and 

 thus form as slight an obstacle as possible while diving. The 

 feet are remarkably long and broad ; the toes united by a 

 strong web as far as the roots of the nails : these are of a com- 

 pressed form, and very strong, but shorter, perhaps, than 

 in any other species. The polar bear can thus steal silent- 

 ly on its prey; and while a noiseless tread is further en- 

 sured by the hairy nature of the soles of the feet, this 

 structure at the same time ensures him a firmer footing on 

 the ice. 



The hair on the head is very short and close-set ; it becomes 

 longer about the occiput and cheeks ; upon the body it be- 

 comes still longer and shaggy, hanging down from the sides 

 so as almost to hide the legs, and quite concealing the short 

 tail behind. The longer hairs are intermixed at their roots 

 with a very fine white wool or fur. 



In considering the habits of this species of quadruped, we 

 cannot avoid, in the first place, being struck with the remark- 

 able geographical position in which nature has placed it. Ani- 

 mals in general, like plants, avoid extreme cold, rather than ex- 

 treme heat: and though in consequence of being endowed with 

 higher powers, their distribution over the globe is not regulated 

 so absolutely by temperature as vegetables, yet they are con- 

 siderably influenced by it. It is interesting, indeed, to observe 

 the various modes in which they evade the influence of cold ; 

 some escape by migrating to warmer climates ; others pass into 

 a state of torpidity, previously placing themselves beyond the 

 influence of low temperature either by surrounding them- 

 selves with substances that are bad conductors of heat, bur- 

 rowing into the earth, or submerging beneath water. But 

 with the present animal, heat seems the chief annoyance, and 

 cold his greatest luxury. He is, however, stated by some to 

 pass the dreariest period of the arctic winter in a torpid state, 

 sheltered from the intense cold by the snow that has accu- 

 mulated upon him. But, as we have before observed with 

 respect to the common bear, some doubt also exists as to 



