186 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



the winter, and pass three or four months in a state of torpidity. 

 In some southern latitudes, the hybernation is of shorter dura- 

 tion, and ceases to occur when the mildness of the winter ena- 

 bles them to procure food. They are fat when they enter their 

 winter quarters, and much emaciated when they leave it in the 

 spring. Indeed, this condition of fatness is so necessary, that 

 when the supply of food is cut off, instead of retiring to winter 

 quarters, they migrate southwardly to warmer regions. Hence 

 great numbers are occasionally known to enter our territory 

 from the North, composed entirely of lean males, or females not 

 with young. 



" The flesh of the bear is savory, but rather luscious, and 

 tastes not unlike pork. It was once so common an article of 

 food in New-York as to have given the name of Bear-market to 

 one of the principal markets in the city. The female goes with 

 young seven months, bringing forth two young in February or 

 March. The oil sells for one dollar per pound, and the skin 

 from four to twelve dollars, according to its value. 



" A very large individual was shot on the Kaaterskill Moun- 

 tains, Greene County, during the winter of 1839. It measured 

 six feet and a half from the nose to the tip of the tail ; and at 

 the fore shoulders measured three feet two inches from the 

 ground." — DeKay's Natural History of Netv- York. 



THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 



URSUS HORRIBILIS. 



Ursus Horrihilis ; Say, Ltong's Expedition to the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, vol. ii. Ursvs Cineretis ; Desm. Mam. p. 164. JJrsus 

 Ferox ; the Grizzly, White, Variegated and Brown Bear of 

 Lewis and Clarke. 



" This Bear, justly considered as the most dreadful and dan- 

 gerous of North American quadrupeds, is the despotic and 

 sanguinary monarch of the wilds over which he ranges. CtI- 



