THE GRIZZLY BEAR 603 



.and caverns of England, as well as the corresponding deposits^-of the continent. 

 Whether the remains from the same formations that have been assigned to the 

 grizzly bear do not likewise belong to the European species, may, we think, be a 

 subject of doubt. 



Crowther's bear (U. crowtheri) is a closely-allied if not identical form from the 

 Atlas mountains, and it is probable that a bear exists in Morocco and Algeria which 

 may be either the common brown bear or Crowther's bear, if the latter be distinct. 



THE GRIZZLY BEAR ( Ursus horribilis ) 



The gigantic grizzly bear of Western North America, whose range extends from 

 Alaska through the Rocky mountains to Mexico, is genenally regarded as a species 

 distinct from the brown bear, although there can be no question but that the two are 

 very closely related. There are, however, some slight differences in the characteristics 

 of the skull and cheek-teeth in the two forms, while the grizzly bear is generally 

 larger in size, grayer in color, and has shorter and less valuable fur than its European 

 cousin. Some of the brown bears from Northern Asia are probably nearly or quite as 

 large as an average-sized grizzly ; while the difference in this respect between brown 

 bears from different districts indicates that mere size cannot be a matter of much im- 

 portance. All the American hunters recognize several varieties of grayish bears, 

 respectively known as the "silver-tip," "roach-back," and the "barren-ground" 

 bear, in addition to the typical grizzly; and Dr. Hart Merriam is disposed to regard 

 the last as a distinct species, under the name of U. richardsoni. We prefer, how- 

 ever, to adopt the view that there are but two distinct species of North- American 

 bears. Occasionally, as in the case of the black bear, there may be cinnamon-colored 

 varieties of the grizzly ; and it was at one time considered that such yellow-haired 

 bears constituted a distinct species the so-called cinnamon bear ( U. cinnamomus), 

 but it is now known that such coloration is merely a phase common to each species. 

 Dr. W. S. Rainsford states, indeed, that he has seen a female grizzly with three cubs, 

 of which one was almost yellow, a second nearly black, and the third gray. The so- 

 called barren-ground bear of Arctic America is stated to come very close to the 

 European brown bear, and may prove to be the connecting link between it and the 

 typical grizzly. Whether, then, the grizzly bear be rightly regarded as a distinct 

 species, or whether it be merely a well-marked race of the brown bear, we take it to 

 include all the gray and brownish bears of North America. In addition to this wide 

 range in color, there are considerable differences in form. Thus, some have a well- 

 marked hump at the back of the head, extending to the shoulders, which is totally 

 wanting in others ; while the width of the sole of the hind-foot is subject to great 

 individual variation. 



Dimensions ^ e accounts of the size and weight of the grizzly are very discrepant, 



and have probably been much exaggerated; most of the measurements 

 having been taken from pegged-out skins, while the weights are mere estimates. 

 It is said that the finest grizzlies hail from Alaska, but it is probable that 

 those formerly inhabiting the Pacific flanks of the high Sierra Nevada were really 



