CHAP, x THE BEAR 197 



The claws of the fore paws are three or four inches in length, 

 and are useful implements for digging. It is astonishing to see 

 the result upon soil that would require a pick-axe to excavate a 

 hole. Upon the hard sides of such pits as those made in search 

 of white ants, the claw-marks are deeply imprinted, showing the 

 labour that has been expended for a most trifling prize, as the 

 nest when found would only yield a few mouthfuls. I have never 

 appreciated the name of " sloth bear " given to Ursus labiatus, as 

 it is a creature that works hard for its food throughout the year, 

 and being an inhabitant of the tropics, it never hybernates. This 

 species is very active, and although it refuses flesh, it is one of the 

 most mischievous of its kind, as it will frequently attack man 

 without the slightest reason, but from sheer pugnacity. A full- 

 grown male weighs from 280 to 300 Ibs. The skin is exceedingly 

 thick and heavy. The hair is long and coarse, with a bunch upon 

 its back of at least 7 inches in length, but there is a total absence 

 of fur, therefore the hide has no commercial value. The chest is 

 marked by a peculiar pattern in whitish brown, resembling a 

 horse-shoe, which is the mark for aim when the animal rears 

 upon its hind legs to attack. There are five claws upon the fore 

 feet, and the same number upon the hinder paws. Although 

 these are not retractile, neither are they so curved or sharp as 

 those of the genus Felis, they inflict terrible wounds upon a 

 human being, and when the head of a man has been in a bear's 

 grip it has generally been completely scalped. I have heard of 

 more than one instance where the scalp has been torn from the 

 back of the neck and pulled over the eyes, as though it had been 

 a wig. 



The Ursus labiatus seldom produces more than two or three at 

 a birth, and the young cub is extremely ugly, but immensely 

 powerful in limbs and claws. I have seen a very young animal 

 which held on to the inside of its basket when inverted, and 

 although shaken with great force, nothing would dislodge its ten- 

 acious clutch ; this specimen was about six weeks old. 



Although many varieties of bears are tree-climbers, there are 

 others which are contented with the ground, and which could not 

 ascend a tree even should they be tempted by its fruit. The grizzly 

 bear (Ursus ferox) belongs to this class, and his enormous weight 

 would at any time necessitate especial care when experimenting 

 upon the strength of boughs. I do not believe that any person 

 has actually weighed a grizzly, but an approximate idea may be 

 obtained through a comparison with the polar bear (Ursus mari- 

 timus), which is somewhat equal in size, probably superior. When 



