376 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



along the ridge of the back, and nearly black on the legs. 

 The hair is long, coarse, and wiry, and stiff on the top of the 

 neck and between the shoulders. The "grizzly," as he is 

 usually called, is more common in California than any 

 other kind of bear, and was at one time exceedingly numerous 

 for so large an animal ; but he offered so much meat for the 

 hunters, and did so much damage to the farmers, that he has 

 been industriously hunted, and his numbers have been greatly 

 reduced. He ranges throughout the State, but prefers to make 

 his home in the chaparral or bushes, whereas the black bear 

 likes the heavy timber. The grizzly is very tenacious of life, 

 and he is seldom immediately kille4 by a single bullet. His 

 thick, wiry hair, tough skin, heavy coats of fat when in good 

 condition, and large bones, go far to protect his vital organs ; 

 but he often seems to preserve all his strength and activity 

 for an hour or more after having been shot through the lungs 

 and liver with large rifle balls. He is one of the most dan- 

 gerous animals to attack. There is much probability that 

 when shot he will not be killed outright. When merely 

 wounded he is ferocious ; his weight and strength are so great 

 that he bears down all opposition before him ; and he is very 

 quick, his speed in running being nearly equal to that of the 

 horse. In attacking a man, he usually rises on his hind legs, 

 strikes his enemy with one of his powerful fore-paws, and then 

 commences to bite him. If the man lies still, with his face 

 down, the bear will usually content himself with biting him 

 for a while about the arms and legs, then go off a few steps, 

 and after watching him a short time, will go away. But let 

 the man move, and the bear is upon him again ; let him fight, 

 and he will be in imminent danger of being torn to pieces. 

 About half a dozen men, on an average, are killed yearly in 

 California by grizzly bears, and as many more are cruelly 

 mutilated. 



Fortunately, the grizzly bear is not disposed to attack man, 

 and never makes the first assault, unless driven by hunger or 



