THE BRO WN BEAR. 31 7 



ur worth takin';" and he accordingly proceeded to secure 

 them. Having accomplished this task, they returned 

 to the fire, and eagerly discussed the adventure. 



" Jest as I topped the rise," said Jake, " I seed the 

 varmint down below at the other side. Thur wur 

 plenty o' cover, an' so I slouched along, keepin' well 

 out o' view till I j edged I'd got far enuff. I put up 

 Plumcentre, an' let drive at the b'ar's skull so as the 

 ball 'd range across fur the off eye. But jest as I pulled 

 the trigger the b'ar moved his head, an' I med a bad 

 shot. I hedn't time to wink when he swung round an' 

 kem at me, an' as I knew I'd reach camp afore he cud 

 come to grips, I thort I'd git ye to help me. That's 

 how I brought the varmint arter me." 



This incident afforded Pierre an opportunity of giving 

 a short account of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), whose 

 habits are substantially the same as those of others of 

 the tribe. We will therefore only remark that this 

 animal flies contact with man (except when attacked 

 and wounded), and frequents the wildest and most 

 inaccessible regions. It dwells in caverns, clefts in the 

 rocks, or in such hollow logs as it finds scattered through 

 the virgin forest. It sometimes even excavates a hole 

 for itself in which to pass the winter. During this 

 season, in common with its kindred, it passes a con- 

 siderable time in a state of torpidity. In proportion to 

 its size the eyes are small ; but whatever disadvantage 

 might arise from this circumstance is counterbalanced 

 by the acuteness of its nose and of its ears. The hide 



