t^t <Brt33(g 



pounds, and a few Alaskan grizzlies, judging by 

 their skins, may have weighed more than "Sam- 

 son." It may be that years ago, when not so closely 

 hunted, the grizzly lived longer and grew to a 

 larger size than he attains to-day. 



The grizzly looks capable and substantial. His 

 massive proportions suggest strength rather than 

 bulk. With back broad and well-rounded, and feet 

 pulled well together beneath him, he may at first 

 appearance seem top-heavy. But this impression is 

 forgotten the instant his movements display his 

 ease of adjustment and nicety of balance. Without 

 effort he raises himself on hind legs to his full 

 height gracefully and stands with the repose of a 

 statue. 



Many of his movements appear awkward and 

 clumsy. He is loose-jointed and sometimes is rather 

 lumbering; he often shuffles as though wearing a 

 large, loose wooden shoe on each foot. Commonly 

 he travels along with a gait neither walk nor trot. 

 Yet the bear is exceedingly speedy and few horses 

 can overtake him. His endurance is astounding. 



He has extraordinary strength. I have known 

 him to drag the carcass of a cow or a steer of twice 

 his own weight. In several instances this was 



252 



