NORTHERN OCEAN. 
369 
Buiack Bears are not very numerous to the The Black 
North Weftof Churchill. The manner of life is E 
the fame of the reft of the fpecies, though the 
face of the country they inhabit, differs widely 
from the more mild climates. In Summer they 
proul about in fearch of berries, €c. and as the 
Winter approaches, retire to their dens, which 
are always under-ground; and generally, if not 
always, on the fide ofa {mall hillock. The Bears 
that inhabit the Southern parts of America are 
faid to take up their winter abode in hollow trees; 
but I never faw any trees in my Northern travels, 
that could afford any fuch fhelter. 
The places of retreat of thofe Bears that bur- 
row under-ground are eafily difcovered in Win- 
ter, by the rime that hangs about the mouth of 
the den; for let the fnow be ever fo deep, the 
Bb ; heat 
has, and of courfe unite in copulation; but the time of their cqurthhip is I 
believe, not exa@ily known: probably it may be in July or Augut, for at 
thofe times [ have often been at the killing them, when the males were fo 
attached to their miftreffes, that after the female was killed, the male 
would put his two fore-paws over, and fuffer himfelf to be fhot before he 
would quit her. I have frequently feen and killed thofe animals near 
twelve leagues from the land; but as the Fall of the year advances, they 
are taught by inftiné& to feek the fhore. ‘Though fuch a tremendous ani- 
mal, they are very fhy of coming near a man; but when clofely purfued 
in the water, they frequently attack the boat, feize the oars, and wreft 
them from the hands of the ftrongeft man, feeming defirous to go on 
board; but the people on thofe occafions are always provided with fire- 
armsand hatchets, to prevent fuch an unwelcome vifit, The fiefh of this 
animal, when killed in Winter, (if not too old,) is far from being unplea- 
fant eating; and the young cubs, in the Spring, are rather delicate than 
otherwife. The teats of the females are only two in number, and are 
placed between the fore-legs. The beft Drawing of this Animal I have 
feen, is that done by Mr, Webber, among the Plates of Cook’s laft Voyage. 
car. 
