FABULOUS STORIES. 253 



is much inferior in size to the denizen of the Wermeland and 

 Dalecarlian forests. 



More fabulous stories probably exist regarding the bear, 

 than any other animal. 



Bishop Pontoppidan informs us, for instance, that "the 

 female carries her young but a month ; and that, like the 

 dog kind, which also hastes for the birth, she brings forth 

 two or three in number, blind and naked, and small as mice, 

 each in form like a mere lump ; which the mother continually 

 licks, till it expands or unfolds itself, according to the proverb: 

 Lambendo sicut ursa catulos. Then they say she holds 

 them in her paws to her breast, to warm them, according 

 to the manner of birds, which Ol. Magnus has also observed ; 

 but some are of opinion it is to give them suck, as their paps 

 stand pretty high on the fore part of their body." 



Even Nilsson tells us, that if a man goes boldly up to an 

 infuriated bear, the beast, for the most part, contents himself 

 with tearing up, with his powerful paws, moss, stubbs, blocks 

 of wood, &c., which he casts around him on every side ; and 

 moreover affirms by implication at least that there is such 

 commanding power in the human gaze, that if a man looks 

 a bear full in the face, the beast becomes cowed and slinks 

 away. It may be so ; but I am much inclined to believe that 

 were the professor to try the experiment, he would soon wish 

 himself safe at home ! 



It is a common belief in Lapland, and other parts of 

 Scandinavia, that the bear is possessed of the strength of 

 twelve men, and that there is no end to his sagacity. 



The trappers in some places, indeed, aver that in spite of 

 their precautions to conceal the gin, they frequently find it 

 not only spiling, but stumps, roots, &c., sticking between 



