4 CARNIVORES. 



The Typical Bears. 



Genus Ursus. 



With the exception of the Indian sloth-bear and a peculiar species from 

 Tibet, all the bears are now generally included in the genus Ursus. This genus is 

 characterised by having a total of 42 teeth (when all the small premolars are 

 present), of which § are incisors, \ canines, | premolars, and § molars on each side. 

 In the adults, as already mentioned, several or all of the three anterior premolars 

 may disappear from both jaws, although the one immediately behind the tusk 

 may remain longer than the others. The molar teeth are characterised by their 

 crowns being longer than they are broad; the last upper molar being a much 

 elongated tooth, while in the lower jaw the last molar is shorter than the tooth 

 which precedes it. As a rule, the soles of the feet are naked ; and the claws are 

 of moderate length and curvature. As in the other genera of the family, the ears 

 are small, erect, and thickly haired ; and the pupil of the eye is round. The 

 geographical distribution of the genus is coextensive with that of the family. 



The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus). 



Not only does the Polar bear differ from all other bears by its pure white coat, 

 but it is also distinguished from the greater number of white Mammals in that this 

 colour is retained at all seasons of the year, instead of being exchanged in summer 

 for a darker tint. In addition to this distinctive white coloration, the Polar bear is 

 further characterised by the relatively small size and extremely elongated form of 

 its head, as well as by the molar teeth being relatively smaller and narrower than 

 in the other members of the genus. Moreover, the soles of the feet have a certain 

 amount of hair growing upon them, doubtless for the purpose of enabling the 

 animal to have a better hold upon the ice. The neck is also longer than in other 

 bears, while the ears are unusually small. It is one of the largest members of 

 the group, not unfrequently attaining a length of close upon 9 feet, although 

 exact measurements from recently killed wild examples are but few. 



The Polar bear is found throughout the Arctic regions of both hemispheres. 

 It is now rare on the south-western coasts of Spitzbergen and Novaia Zemlia, 

 where the ice almost completely disappears in summer. According to Baron 

 Nordenskiold, it is more common on the northern parts of those islands, where there 

 is perpetual ice. On the north coasts of America and Asia it is found everywhere, 

 and becomes more and more numerous as we travel northwards. In Labrador, 

 where it is now very rare, there is evidence that it was once comparatively common, 

 and Dr. A. S. Packard is of opinion that its range originally extended even down 

 into the State of Maine. The white bears seen by John Cabot in the year 1497 

 are believed by Dr. Packard to have been observed in Newfoundland; while 

 further evidence of their former existence is afforded by the observations of 

 Corte Real in 1500 andCartierin 1534. The bones found in the shell-mounds of 

 Goose Island, Casco Bay, Maine, are considered to belong to the present species, 

 and thereby indicate the probability of its range having extended thus far south. 



