CARNIVORA. URSID^. 23 



time for parturition is either in January or February, or early in 

 March. The young continue with the dam the whole of the first 

 year, and part of the succeeding, as they are frequently found in 

 company. The cubs, and sometimes an old female, become ex- 

 tremely fat ; they have been known to yield sixty pounds of oil. 

 The Bear is habitually a great traveller, removing from place to 

 place during the summer and fall. His travels, however, are con- 

 fined to a certain circuit, unless disturbed, for he seems to go the 

 rounds, and follows each time the same beaten track. In his 

 travels he frequently turns aside to wallow in mud holes, especially 

 when the weather is hot and sultry. When suddenly met by 

 man, or any uncommon incident occurs to arrest his attention, 

 he rises and stands upright on his posterior legs, and surveys with 

 attention the object before him. In this position he reconnoitres 

 till he is apprehensive of danger, when he instantly escapes into 

 the neighbouring thicket. 



The Bear is a difficult animal to destroy, in consequence of its 

 tenacity of life. The skull is so formed, that it very effectually 

 protects the brain from injury. The space between the tables is 

 at least an inch beneath a large portion of the frontal bone. 

 Hence it is a fortunate shot to lodge a ball within the head. 

 Bears leave the vicinity of settlements and dwell during the sum- 

 mer in the most secluded places, choosing those which are marshy, 

 or in the immediate vicinity of lakes and ponds. They are in- 

 duced to this procedure by the security it furnishes for rearing 

 their young. At the first appearance of corn and cultivated fruits 

 and grain, they return to the settlements. In the pursuit of their 

 objects, they travel the same routes, which are termed by 

 hunters the run-ways. It is near one of these travelled paths, 

 that the hunter places his traps, knowing by long experience, that, 

 if any are in the neighbouring mountains, they will sooner or later 

 come that way, and that they will invariably travel the common 

 road. It is often the case, however, that when an old Bear is 

 pursued, instead of leading in the run-way, he selects the worst 

 passages that can possibly be found in the whole mountain. He 

 will go through the most impassable thickets, over the fallen 

 bushy tops of trees, up the steepest cliffs, where it is difficult for 

 dogs to pursue, and next to impossible for man to follow. I have 



