112 The Natural History 



And notwithstanding they seem to be such a clumsy Crea- 

 ture, yet they will very nimbly climb Trees (when pursued 

 by Hunters and Dogs) where they generally remain till shot; 

 and it is strange to see with what agility they will go up and 

 down the Trees, and in coming down they always run tail 

 foremost. They are likewise very dexterous and expert in 

 Fishing, catching vast Quantities of several sorts of Fish, as 

 they run up the narrow Creeks and shallow Waters to Spawn. 

 There you shall see these Beasts sit, and take up Fish as fast 

 as it is possible for them to dip their Paws into the Water. 

 There is one thing very strange and remarkable of this Crea- 

 ture, which is, that no Man, either Christian or Indian, ever 

 killed a She-Bear with Young; for it is supposed, that after 

 Conception (which is in the Winter) the She-Bears hide 

 themselves in the most secret places 'till they bring forth their 

 Young, which according to Pliny is in thirty Days. But 

 Elianus affirmeth not 'till three Months, which is the most 

 likely and credible, because all large Creatures bear their 

 Burthens longer than such as are small; when they Couple 

 together, the Female lieth on her Back, and the Male coupleth 

 with her, which few other Beasts are known to do. They 

 have commonly three or five Cubs at a time, which seem to be 

 at first a lump of white Flesh, void of Form, without Hair or 

 Eyes, only there is some appearance of Claws. This rude 

 Lump they fashion by degrees, by their constant licking. It 

 is likewise reported that after conception they will Sleep so 

 soundly for fourteen Days that it is not possible by any means 

 to awaken them, and tliat during their abode in those secret 

 Places, they never appear abroad for Food, but only suck 

 their Paws, which is all they subsist upon during that time. 



It 



