ARCTIC ZOOLOGY. 103 



usually found. — The polar bear is generally enough known 

 to make a description unnecessary. Having seldom observed 

 a good drawing of this animal, I have given one (Plate IX.) 

 wherein he is represented as coming unexpectedly on the 

 sleeping place of a seal, which had just time to dissappoint 

 the hungry visitor, and immediately rises again at a safe 

 distance to mock his wilj- enemy. The appearance of the 

 polar bear is clumsy and awkward. The shuffling manner 

 in which he moves would make one suppose his motion 

 very, slow yet his speed is considerable. It is impatient 

 of heat, and seems to have no other residence than the 

 ice, on which it is found at immense distances from land ; 

 but as it derives all its sustenance from the sea, such as 

 fish, seals, dead whales, and the minor cetaceous animals, 

 that is its proper situation. The battles between the polar 

 bear and morse are truly terrible ; but the seal, P. vitulina, 

 is by no means a match for such an adversary, and his only 

 security is flight. The aspect of the bear is horrid, from 

 his eye being covered with a nictitant membrane, similar 

 to that with which the eyes of birds are provided. This 

 membrane is liighly useful to the animal, by sheathing his 

 eye, and protecting the sight from the strong glare of the 

 snow. His power of smelling is very great ; and the sailors 

 take advantage of this faculty to entice him within their 

 reach, by burning a herring, the smell of which never 

 fails to attract the animal. 



