Game of the Hudson's Bay Region. 193 



direction of his intended prey. If compelled to come to the surface 

 for breath he will do so, while in pursuit of game, in a wonderfully 

 quiet manner, take his bearings, and again slip under the water ; and 

 so accurate are they in the measurement of distances that the last 

 time he comes up he will be within a few feet of the unfortunate 

 seals. Their doom is now settled. No matter whether they remain 

 on the ice or endeavour to take refuge in the water, he can move so 

 much quicker than they can, that, in an instant, one at least is 

 destroyed. 



The polar bear is an animal of most wonderful physical powers 

 and very tenacious of life. Even when pierced with bullets he will 

 often continue to fight in the most desperate manner. His teeth 

 and claws are formidable weapons, and the rapidity and skill with 

 which he uses the latter, whether in a battle for his life, or devouring 

 his prey, or climbing precipitous cliffs, claims our admiration. Their 

 young are nearly always two in number, and are brought forth in 

 curiously constructed snow huts, in which they dwell during the first 

 few weeks of their existence. 



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