Alaskan Black Bear 431 



is of larger size than the typical form, with a longer, narrower, and more 

 flattened skull, and proportionately larger cheek-teeth. Dr. Merriam 

 states that " the Louisiana bear resembles the Florida bear in the 

 elongation and narrowness of the skull, but differs in having the frontal 

 region of the skull remarkably flattened, instead of highly arched, and in 

 having the upper molars much larger." 



In the bear referred to above as living in the Zoological Gardens at 

 Philadelphia in 1892-93 the colour was a rich reddish brown, almost bay. 

 When^ however, the coat became worn and bleached the colour faded to 

 a pale yellowish brown. 



THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR 



( Ursiis americamis fioii Janus) 



The black bear inhabiting the everglades and probably other parts of 

 the peninsula of Florida was described in 1896 by Dr. Merriam as a separate 

 species, on the evidence of the skull alone. Although the skull resembles 

 that ot the Louisiana bear in its great length and slenderness, it differs, 

 especially in the case of old males, in the form of the palate, and by the 

 highly-arched frontal region. The cheek-teeth are also smaller. The 

 colour of the fur is black. 



THE ALASKAN BLACK BEAR 



( Ursi/s americamis c?nmoi!si) 



The black bear from the glacier region of the St. Elias range of Alaska 

 and the neighbouring districts was first described by Dr. Dall ^ as a variety 

 of U. aniericanits, but was subsequently raised by Dr. Merriam - to the rank 



^ Science, series 2, vol. ii. p. 86 (1895). 

 - Proceedings Biol. Soc. JVaskikgton, vol. x. p. 8z (1896). 



