60 



THE STORY OF THE BEAR. 



bear is found everywhere and becomes more and more numerous as one 

 travels northward. 



The Polar bear is one of the largest of the bear group, frequently attain- 

 ing the length of nine feet. It retains its white color summer and winter. 

 Its head is longer and smaller than the other species of bears and the soles of 

 its feet are covered by long hairs, which give it a better hold on the ice. 



It is rare that more than two are seen together except where the female 

 is accompanied by her young. Their principal food consists of the seal and 

 walrus, but they also feed upon vegetable substances, such as seaweed, grass 

 and lichens. They display great skill and cunning in the capture of their 



THE PURE WHITE POLAR BEAR. 



prey. The bear having discovered a seal asleep on an ice-floe immediately 

 slips into the water if he himself be oil another ice-floe. Diving, he swims 

 under water for a distance, then reappears and takes observations. Alter- 

 nately diving and swimming, he approaches close to his victim. Before his 

 final disappearance he seems to measure the intervening distance, and when 

 he next appears it is alongside of the seal. Then, either getting on the ice, 

 or pouncing upon the seal as it tries to escape, he secures it. Both seals and 

 porpoises are not unfrequently met with, bearing the marks of a bear's claws 

 upon their backs. 



Formerly the sight of a bear created great fear among Arctic travelers. 



