SYRIAN BEAR, OR DUBB.—Ursus Isabellinus. 
shoulders and front of the neck, the hair is so perpendicularly set, and projects so firmly, 
that it gives the appearance of a mane, somewhat resembling that of the hyzena, 
At the present day, the Syrian Bear may be found in the mountainous parts of 
Palestine, and has been frequently seen upon the higher Lebanon mountains. The summit 
of the mountain itself is composed of two snow-clad peaks, and it is remarkable that the 
Bear has only been found on one of these peaks, “ Makmel” as it is called, while the 
other—Gebel Sanin—is app: wently free from these animals. The Bear appears to remain 
upon the upper portions of the mountains during the hours of daylight, but as soon as the 
evening draws near it descends from its rocky fastness in search of food, and often causes 
considerable alarm to the traveller. 
The food of the Syrian Bear is mostly of a vegetable nature, although the creature is 
perfectly capable of fe eding on animal ee es, and frequently does so. In consequence 
of its vegetarian tastes, it often inflicts considerable damage on the cultivated lands that 
may happen to lie w ee the boundary of its range. It is especially fond of a species of 
chick-pea which is largely cultivated in those regions, and in its endeavours to appease its 
enormous appetite does incalculable damage to the ripening crops. 
To this species belonged an animal which enjoyed a high reputation at Oxford and 
elsewhere on account of his singularly gentle and amusing manners. The Bear, which 
was generally known by the name of “Tig,” being an abbreviation of the somewhat 
lenethy name of Tiglath Pileser, was for some time a noted celebrity in Oxford, whither 
he was brought in his early boyhood. Hieh-spirited and rather tetchy im temper, he was 
very affectionate to those who treated him with consideration, and was perfectly amenable 
to proper discipline. 
