320 



THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 



namely, in spring and autumn ; so that when the winter arrives, they are defended from its 

 rigors by a new and warm covering of thickly planted hair. On account of this change in the 

 color of the fur, the juvenile Musquaw has been considered as a separate species, and admitted 

 into systematic catalogues under the name of Yellow, or Cinnamon Bear. 



THERE are few animals which are so widely and deservedly dreaded as the GRIZZLY BEAR. 

 This terrible animal is an inhabitant of many portions of Northern America, and is the 

 acknowledged superior of every animal that ranges over the same country. 



The other members of the ursine family are not given to attacking human beings, unless 

 they are alarmed or wounded, but the Grizzly, or "Ephraim," as the creature. is familiarly 



GRIZZLY BEAK. Urm> feme, 



termed by the hunters, displays a most unpleasant readiness to assume the offensive as soon as 

 it perceives a man, be he mounted or on foot, armed or otherwise. 



Yet the Bear is not entirely without the innate dread of humanity which is instinctively 

 implanted in every known animal, for, although it will attack a man without hesitation, it will 

 not venture to follow up his track, and even if it should come across the air which is tainted 

 by his presence, the Grizzly Bear will escape as fast as he can run. To this curious instinct 

 the hunters have more than once owed their lives. 



One man, who was engaged in duck-shooting, and whose gun was only loaded with shot, 

 was suddenly alarmed at seeing a Grizzly Bear cantering towards him, having clearly already 

 made up his mind to attack him. For the moment, the old man was in despair, but his pres- 

 ence of mind soon returned, and .he made his escape in a very ingenious manner. Plucking 

 some of the light fibres from his rough coat, he threw them in the air, in order to ascertain the 

 direction of the wind, and then moved to one side, so as to cause the wind to blow from him- 

 self towards the advancing foe. As soon as the Bear perceived the strange scent, it stopped, 

 sat upon its hind legs, wavered, and finally made off, leaving its intended prey master of the 

 field. 



If, however, the anger of this terrible animal should be aroused by the pain of a wound, it 

 cares little for men or their scent, but rushes furiously upon them, dealing the most fearful 



