7,22 CARNIVORA. 



alone, even for a short time, would cry and lament in the most pitiful 

 of tones. 



The fur of this animal is valuable for its warmth and beauty, and the 

 Svrians still believe in the medicinal virtues of its fat. Even in Europe 

 •• Bear's Grease " was for a long time considered a specific for various 

 injuries; but at present it is only heard of in hair-dressers' shops. 



THE AMERICAN BEAR. 



The Black Bear, ['rsits Anwrkamis (Plate XXIII), had formerly a 

 o-reat ranee of country, and was once so common in New York State, 

 that the city had a bear-market. It is a very inofiensive animal, and lives 

 chiefly on fruit, insects, and small animals. Audubon sa3-s, contrary to 

 the usual opinion, that it will prefer flesh to fruit any day, and confirms 

 the statement that it is fond of fish. The Black Bear is small and of a 

 uniform black or brown color, and is hunted for its fur and tat, which 

 have a commercial value, as well as for its flesh, which is smoked before 

 it is sent to market. Its weight rarely exceeds three hundred pounds. 

 It is chiefly found in mountains and thickets, or in the cane-brakes of the 

 South, and gives good sport when hunted with dogs, as it runs pretty 

 quick, and then takes to a tree. It is really no more dangerous to the 

 hunter than a hog of the same size would be. 



As a general rule, they will never fight a man unless forced into it. 

 When thev have cubs, and arc followed closely, they will keep them 

 ahead and follow close in the rear to protect them. If pushed closely, 

 they will make a great show of fight, growl, and tear the bark from the 

 trees with much fuss and noise, and do their utmost to frighten off the 

 enemv ; and. if there is no help for it. they will fight fiercely when 

 brought to bay. Bears when known to be with young are left alone, 

 unless the hunters are well armed for a fight. Experienced dogs greatly 

 assist the hunter, and do much toward checking the speed oj" the bear. 

 Now and then they nab Bruin by a hind-leg, which worries him greatly. , 

 After a dog has tackled a bear once, however, he knows enough to keep 

 out of the reach of his paws, and, being nimbler than Bruin, he has little 

 trouble in avoiding his grasp. 



It is said that instead of becoming extinct among the Catskills, bears 

 are more numerous now than ever before. A well-known trapper gives 

 as his reason for this that a number of vears ago, when the mountains 



