CHAPTER VII. 



CARXIVORA. 



THE BLACK BEAR. 



EVERAL species of the bear tribe inhabit Ainerica ; 

 the two most numerous of which are the black 

 bear, or musquaw, and the far-famed ferocious 

 grizzly bear of the Rocky Mountains. The black bear is 

 found generally among the forests and plains of the east, 

 though the gi^zzly also descends from his mountain fastnesses, 

 and makes his way through the low country to a considerable 

 distance from his usual abode. Although the black bear has 

 not obtained the same character for fierceness as his grizzly 

 relative, he often proves a formidable opponent when attacked 

 by human foes, and is also dreaded on account of his depre- 

 dations among their flocks and herds. He is, indeed, a mon- 

 strous and powerful animal, often reaching six feet in length 

 from the muzzle to the tail — the tail being only about two 

 inches long — while he stands from three to three and a half 

 feet in height at the shoulder. He is covered with a smooth 

 and glossy coat of tliick hair, without any wool at the base. 



