20 ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



so uniform a ferocity in destroying the life of any animal that 

 falls into its power. It inhabits the country adjacent to the 

 east side of the Rocky Mountains, not extending further 

 south than the confines of Mexico, and affords a very good 

 example of Ihe limitation of species. It has been suggested 

 by Godman, that this animal once inhabited the Atlantic 

 States ; but no remains of it have been found to prove this, 

 and he merely starts the idea from a tradition among the 

 tribe of Delaware Indians, that " a big naked bear" (that, 

 certainly, does not correspond with Bruin in question) existed 

 formerly on the banks of the Hudson River. 



Although contriving, sometimes, to ascend old leaning trees 

 in search of honey, he cannot ascend perpendicularly small 

 trees, as is shown by the numerous statements of travellers 

 who, when pursued, have climbed a tree, where they have 

 remained many hours, the terrible beast keeping watch 

 below, and shewing signs of rage because unable to reach 

 his prey. So much are their powers respected by the 

 Indians, that they consider it a feat next to that of taking 

 the scalp of an enemy, to kill one of them. Their strength 

 is so great, that they have been seen to kill a large bison, 

 and seizing him with their teeth, drag him up a steep hill. 

 When full grown and fat, they sometimes weigh as much as 

 1,800 Ibs. 



Old Adams, or as he was better known under the eupho- 

 nious title of " Grizzly Adams," devoted many years of his life 

 to the trapping and taming a number of these animals ; the 

 account of his hair-breadth escapes is full of the most mar- 

 vellous exploits ; but the result in the -number of Grizzly Bears 

 in subjection, in his menagerie, being chained only to posts, 

 and not in cages, shows what man can do by toil and perse- 

 verance. 



The following notes of the habits and character of this 

 animal were transmitted to the writer, by Capt. R. B. Marcy, 

 U. S. A., whose name is well known among men of science: 



