io6 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



species stands third on the list ; one of the two specimens above it being 

 the skull of a Kanichatkan brown bear, and the other that of the great 

 extinct cave-bear of Europe. In the Kamchatkan brown bear skull the 

 extreme length is 1 8 inches, and the maximum width across the arches 

 formed by the cheek-bones i i inches. Of the three largest white bear 

 skulls in the list one measures i6g and the other two i6 inches in length ; 

 the width of one of the two latter being 9^ and of the other 9I inches. 

 A fourth specimen, measuring 15I inches in length, has, however, a width 

 of I o^ inches. The comparative narrowness of the skull is to a great 

 extent confined to the brain-case, and is less apparent when the cheek- 

 arches are taken into consideration. 



Another characteristic feature of the white bear is to be found in the 

 relatively small size of its hinder cheek-teeth, which are also narrower 

 than in most other species, and have a simpler structure on the crown. 

 A third peculiarity is the covering of hair on the soles of the feet, whereby 

 the animal is enabled to obtain firm foothold where an ordinary bear 

 would slip and slide about in a ludicrously helpless manner. As minor 

 peculiarities of the species may be noticed the unusual length of the neck 

 and the comparatively small size of the ears, which are densely covered 

 with fur. Although in all examples that have come under the present 

 writer's notice the long and thick fur is of a beautiful creamy white, it 

 has been stated by Mr. F. E. Beddard, in an article on white bears 

 published some years ago in Knoiv/edge, that a brownish tinge is occasionally 

 perceptible. 



As regards the maximum dimensions attained by the white bear, there 

 is the dearth of exact information so usual in the case of nearly all large 

 animals. It is commonly stated that white bears not unfrequently attain 

 a length of close upon 9 feet. Mr. Arnold Pike, in the " Badminton 

 Library " volumes on Big Gaiiic Shoothig, states that a full-grown male will 

 commonly measure from 8 to 8^ inches from snout to tail, and weigh 



