232 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



Lataste (1885, pp. 235-237), in reviewing the evidence for the 

 presence of bears in Barbary, considers that the case has by no 

 means been proved. 



"Since Mr. Crowther's time no more definite news has been re- 

 ceived of this bear, though other travellers have reported statements 

 of Arabs and Moors that such a creature exists in the mountains 

 of Eastern Morocco and Western Algeria" (Johnston, in Bryden, 

 1899, p. 608). 



"In view of the apparent rarity of the animal, it is important 

 to mention that fossilised remains of bears have been discovered in 

 caverns in north-western Africa, as well as in the rock-fissures of 

 Gibraltar" (Lydekker, 1908, p. 463). 



During the years 1892-96, "fchere were still rumours of Bears 

 (Ursus crowtheri) in the Western Atlas, but although they certainly 

 existed there in the first half of the last century I have never heard 

 of one being killed or seen since this region became better known 

 with the penetration of the French into Morocco, though there may 

 be a possibility that a few exist" (Pease, 1937, p. 81). 



The foregoing accounts seem to constitute fairly strong evidence 

 of the former existence of a bear in North Africa. It must be 

 acknowledged, however, that no less an authority than Cabrera 

 (1932, pp. 10, 102-103) throws the whole case for the Atlas Bear 

 out of court. But he is hardly correct in maintaining that its sole 

 basis is the "fantastic" account of Blyth. 



On first thought, the Atlas Bear might appear to be a note- 

 worthy exception to the general rule that recently extinct mammals 

 have succumbed to the advance of the European type of civilization. 

 Yet one of the tools of that civilization, the rifle, in the hands of 

 the Moors, must have at least contributed to the animal's downfall. 

 Nevertheless, the disappearance of the Barbary Lion from Morocco 

 in the early part of the present century is singular enough (Cabrera, 

 1932, p. 186) , and the still earlier disappearance of the Atlas Bear 

 is even more puzzling. 



Family MUSTELIDAE: Weasels, etc. 



This family is distinguished by the large number of valuable fur- 

 bearers represented in it; and many of the species have been seri- 

 ously reduced by the demands of the fur trade. Its distribution is 

 practically as cosmopolitan as that of the Canidae; it extends to 

 Borneo and the Philippines, but not to Australia. There are about 

 35 genera and 400 species and subspecies. Nineteen forms (including 

 one extinct species) are discussed in Dr. Allen's volume on the New 

 World (1942), and nine forms of the Old World in this volume. 



