ANECDOTES OF THE BEAR, 



[See Vol. 1. page 257.] 



At Berne, in Switzerland, two bears were kept in a kind 

 of domestic state, for thirty years. They were kept in a large 

 square ditch, so deep that they could not climb out, and so 

 wide as to allow them to run about for exercise. One end 

 of the ditch was covered over on the top, so as to make a 

 warm and comfortable place for the animals to go when it 

 was cold, and in which they might sleep when they chose. 

 In the middle of the ditch, there was a large hole in the 

 ground, into which, every spring, a tree was cut green from 

 the woods, and placed. There was also in the ditch a trough 

 of fresh water, into which the animals could go in hot wea- 

 ther, and cool themselves. Thus pleasantly situated, these 

 bears seemed to enjoy themselves perfectly well, and to have 

 the best of health. They did not, like other animals, which 

 are kept tied up, and allowed no liberty, pine for their native 

 woods. Every year, they reared a little family, of two or 

 three cubs. The mother was excessively fond of her young, 

 but the keeper always took care to shut the father away 

 from them, when they were small, for fear he would do them 

 some injury. The old bears seemed to take the greatest de- 

 light in climbing the trees, which were placed in their ditch 

 for that purpose ; and the young ones, when they became 

 strong enough to climb, took great pleasure in doing the 

 same, and seemed to be as proud of their performance, as a 

 young child is of his, when he first begins to run alone. 



At one time, it became necessary to separate the parents, 

 for the purpose of digging them a new ditch, so that they did 

 not see, or come near each other, for many hours. When 

 they met again, it was pleasant to see in such creatures, how 

 much love and affection they had for each other. Both raised 

 themselves up on the hind feet, and put their fore legs around 

 one another, with the greatest kindness. 



