THE BEAR. 159 



category altogether, and even the accomplishment of walking 

 upright would have gone but a short way towards endearing 

 them to man. The polar bear, indeed, differs widely from 

 other species. In spite of his great bulk and power, he has 

 none of that awkwardness that distinguishes the various 

 land bears. He can run with considerable swiftness. He 

 is perhaps the best swimmer of all quadrupeds, and is quick 

 and active in his movements ; but, upon the other hand, his 

 face expresses none of the easy good temper of the ordinary 

 bear, but it is at once fierce and sullen, watchful and 

 alert. 



The bear more than any animal conveys the impression 

 of incompleteness, and it is difficult to avoid the belief that 

 being slow of temperament it has taken much longer in its 

 passage upwards from the germ than have other creatures. 

 This being the case, it would be unfair to judge the bear as 

 awkward or clumsy when in fact it is simply incomplete ; 

 and it is probable that in the course of another million 

 years or so, when the cycle of its changes is accomplished, 

 it will be an altogether different animal, distinguished for the 

 grace of its movements, and for its still closer resemblance 

 to man. The bear is perhaps more highly appreciated in 

 Germany than elsewhere, it may be because the habits of 

 the people approximate more closely to his than do those 

 of the natives of other countries. At any rate it bears a 

 conspicuous position in their folk-lore, and figures pro- 

 minently in many a legend and story. It is probable that 

 the tale 'dear to English children of the three bears was 

 derived from German sources. The bear has by general 

 consent been voted to be the characteristic emblem of 

 Russia, doubtless because the peasants, wrapped up in skins 



