258 THE BEAR. 



live by sucking their paws, which is 'a vulgar error thai 

 scarcely requires confutation. 



The voice of the bear is a kind of growl, interrupted 

 with rage, which is often capriciously exerted ; and though 

 this animal seems gentle and placid to its master, when 

 tamed, yet it is still to be distrusted and managed with 

 caution, as it is often treacherous and resentful without 

 a cause. 



This animal is capable of some degree of instruction. 

 There are few but have seen it dance in awkward mea- 

 sures upon its hind feet, to the voice or the instrument of 

 its leader ; and it must be confessed that the dancer is 

 often found to be the best performer of the two* I am told, 

 that it is first taught to perform in this manner, by setting 

 it upon hot plates of iron, and then playing to it, while in 

 this uneasy situation. 



The bear, when come to maturity, can never be tamed , 

 it then continues in its native fierceness, and, though caged, 

 still formidably impotent, at the approach of its keeper file, 1 ? 

 to meet him. But notwithstanding the fierceness of this 

 animal, the natives of those countries where it is found 

 hunt it with great perseverance and alacrity. The least 

 dangerous method of taking it is by intoxicating it, by 

 throwing brandy upon honey, which it seems to be chiefly 

 fond of, and seeks for in the hollow of trees. 



The White Greenland Bear differs greatly, both in figure 

 and dimensions, from those already described ; and though 

 it preserves in general the external form of its more south- 

 ern kindred, yet it grows to above three times the size. 

 The brown bear is seldom above six feet long ; the white 

 bear is often known from twelve to thirteen. The brown 

 bear is made rather strong and sturdy, like the mastiff; 

 the Greenland bear, though covered with very long hair, 

 and apparently bulky, is nevertheless more slender, both 

 as to the head, neck, and body, and more inclining to the 

 shape of the grayhound. In short, all the variations of its 



