54 BLACK BEAR. 



of them. They feed on lobsjters, crabs, fish, and other 

 marine animals. Their skins are so highly valued, that 

 they form a very lucrative branch of commerce. 



They are about twice the size of the Common Otter. 

 Their fur is extremely soft, and of a fine, glossy, black 

 colour. The tail is about one fourth of the length of the 

 body. The legs are short and thick ; and the hinder ones 

 somewhat resemble those of a seal. 



17. BEAR TRIBE. 



In walking, these animals apply the whole sole of their 

 foot to the ground. Though chiefly of large size, many 

 of the species are able, without difficulty, to climb into 

 trees. The greater part of them subsist only on animal 

 food. 



Black Bear. Few foreign animals are better known 

 in this country than the Bear ; and this chiefly from the 

 circumstance of its being led about, from town to town, 

 for the purpose of exhibition. Its naturally ferocious 

 disposition is subdued by means which are extremely 

 cruel : and it is compelled to walk upright, for the 

 purpose of amusing a crowd of idle spectators, and 

 affording a wretched means of subsistence to its owner. 

 In a wild state, the Black Bears are found in almost all 

 the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America ; as 

 well as in Greece, Palestine, Egypt, and even the East 

 Indies. They feed not only on the bodies of animals, 

 which they pursue and kill, but also on roots, fruit, and 

 other vegetable substances. In those countries where 

 the frosts are severe, they pass the winter in dens, (which 

 they form under the surface of the ground,) nearly in a 

 torpid state. From the circumstance of their being 



