THE STORY OF THE BeAR. 



49 



the small ears are also black, while the shoulders are marked by a transverse 

 stripe of the same color gradually increasing in width as it approaches the 

 fore-limbs, which are also entirely black, as are likewise the hind-limbs. This 

 peculiar coloration communicates a most extraordinary appearance to the 

 creature; and without knowing more of its natural surroundings it is difficult 

 to imagine the object of such a staring contrast. The tail is extremely short; 

 and the soles of the feet are hairy. 



The parti-colored bear is reported to inhabit the most inaccessible dis- 

 tricts of Eastern Thibet, and to be of extremely rare occurrence. Unfortu- 

 nately we are at present cjuite ignorant of its habits, although it is said to feed 



THE PARTI-COLORED BEAR OF THIBET. 



chiefly on roots and the young shoots of bamboos, and to be entirely her- 

 bivorous. 



It is about the same size as the small brown bear. 



THE POLAR BEAR. 



Arctic explorers have had many strange and exciting experiences with 

 the great white bear that lives among the ice and snows of the polar regions 

 in both hemispheres. On the north coasts of America and Asia the Polar 



