112 BEARS. 



faithful friend the animal which at present is considered but as a ruth- 

 less enemy. 



BEARS. 



The Bears and their allies form a family which is small in point 

 of numbers, but is a very conspicuous one on account of the large 

 size of the greater part of its members. 



The Aswail, or Sloth Bear {Melursus Lyhius), 



These animals are found on almost every portion of the earth's sur- 

 face, and are fitted by nature to inhabit the hottest and the coldest 

 parts of the world. India, Borneo, and other burning lands are the 

 homes of sundry members of this family, such as the Bruang and the 

 Aswail; while the snowy regions of Northern Europe and the icebound 

 coasts of the Arctic Ocean are inhabited by the Brown Bear and the 

 Nennook or Polar Bear. 



The paws of the Bears are armed with long and sharp talons, which 

 are not capable of retraction, but which are most efficient weapons of 

 offence when urged by the powerful muscles which give force to the 

 Bear's limbs. Should the adversary contrive to elude the quick and 

 heavy blows of the paw, the Bear endeavors to seize the foe round the 

 body, and by dint of sheer pressure to overcome its enemy. In guard- 

 ing Itself from the blows which are aimed at it by its adversary the 



