THE BEAR. 



NATURE, in creating the bear, bestowed upon it 

 many good gifts. It is strong, robust, and hardy. 

 It is warmly clad, and, moreover, can escape the hardships 

 of winter by indulging in a prolonged sleep. One gift, how- 

 ever, was denied it that of grace ; altogether, few animals 

 are more clumsy in their gait and movements than the 

 bear. It is strange that, this being so, the bear should be 

 one of the few animals man has taught to dance. The 

 majority of bears are vegetable eaters. Their claws are not, 

 like those of the feline tribe, formed to tear or slay an 

 enemy, but are designed for digging up the roots that 

 form a large portion of its sustenance. As might be ex- 

 pected from the fact that it is a vegetarian, the bear is 

 generally of an easy temper, and would be glad to leave 

 man alone, if man would but let it alone. This amiability 

 of temper by no means arises from want of courage. If 

 their cubs are in danger, bears will attack against any odds, 

 and if wounded are amongst the most formidable and 

 savage of assailants. The polar bear, living as it does upon 

 seals and fish, is by no means so peacefully inclined as the 

 various species that exist on roots and fruit. It does not 

 wait to be attacked, but at once takes the offensive, and 

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