114 



MAMMALIA-BEAR. 



THE THIBET BEAR.* 



This species, unless Cuvier and others are in error, is also to be found in 

 Sumatra. It is particularly distinguished from the Malay and the large 

 lipped bears, by the thickness of its neck, and the flatness of its head. It 

 has a compact body and heavy limbs, and its claws are little more than 

 .ialf as long as those of the other Indian bears. The ears are very large 

 The muzzle is moderately thick, and somewhat lengthened ; the upper pari 

 black, with a slightly reddish tint on the sides ; the edges of the lips flesh 

 colored, and the hair smooth. From the back part of the head, however, 

 the hair becomes shaggy. A uniform jet black is its invariable color, except 

 on the lower lip, which is white ; and so also is a patch on the front of the 

 neck, shaped like the letter Y, the oblique lines of which pass in front of 

 the shoulders, while the lower line occupies the middle of the chest. 



M. Duvaucel considers the Thibet bear to be somewhat ferocious. But 

 the animal from which the cut was drawn, was tolerably tame, and was 

 exceedingly fond of play in his own uncouth manner. He lived on bread 

 and fruits, and nothing could induce him to taste flesh, either raw or 

 cooked. 



1 Ursus thibetanus, Cuv. 



