FAMILY. 



UESIDAE. 



FAM. CH. Toes distinctly separated, five on each foot ; walk plantigrade ; coecura wanting. The sectorial teeth and the 

 molars behind them tuherculated. 



The family of the bears is characterized by the plantigrade walk, usually naked soles, except 

 in Ailurua, (if this properly belongs to the family.) The teeth are the same in number with 

 the Canidae, although their more carnivorous character is shown by the tuberculated molars. 

 The sectorial or carnassial teeth of the Canidae and Fdidae, with their cutting and compressed 

 crowns, are here replaced by a broad tooth, the crown studded with tubercles. 



There are two well marked groups, or sub-families of some authors the one containing the 

 true bears, the other the smaller, long-tailed species. They may be distinguished into Ursinae, 

 or bears proper, of large size, clumsy form, very short tail; and Sub-ursinae, the species of small 

 bears, with long tail and moderate size. To the former belongs Ursus; to the latter, Procyon, 

 Nasua, Cercoleptes, &c. 



