VII. 

 CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE BEAR. 



With the different seasons the bear pre- 

 sents a varied appearance. There are times 

 when you would scarce recognize the same 

 animal. In the autumn of the year the 

 bear takes on fat in preparation for hiber- 

 nating. At this time the fur is glossy and 

 long, and in the grizzly almost a seal 

 brown. 



A curious phenomenon now takes place 

 in the animal's digestive organs, which 

 gives it the capability of remaining the en- 

 tire winter in a state of lethargy, without 

 food and yet without losing condition. As 

 the stomach is no longer furnished with 

 food, it soon becomes quite empty, and, to- 

 gether with the intestines, is contracted 

 into a very small space. No food can now 

 pass through the system, for an obstruc- 

 tion, a mechanical one technically called 



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