INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE. 



even overlook the traditions of the Indians ; he would determine whether 

 it was herbivorous, or carnivorous ; whether it was the hippopotamus 

 the rhinoceros, the common elephant, a monster of the ocean, or a dis- 

 tinct race of animals ; and he would avail himself of the knowledge which 

 is to be derived from the russian discoveries. (14) 



He would then describe the white brown or grizzly bear ; the ferocious 

 tyrant of the american woods ; and would show that it is a nondescript' 

 and a distinct animal from the ursos arctos,* or polar bear: with which it 

 4s confounded. He would state the effects that the settlement of the 

 whites, and particularly the terror which accompanies the gun, 

 have had upon wild animal- ; driving them into the boundless regions of 

 the northwest, and over the waters of the Mississippi; that the grizzly 

 bear formerly resided in this state, according to the traditions of the 

 Delaware and Mohican Indians who say that the last *** seen on the 

 cast side of Hudson's river ; and they to this day terriiy their children 

 with it ; that the claw of the unknown animal which was discovered in a 

 cave in Virginia, and which rar. Jefferson calls the Megalo'iyr, was pro- 

 bably the claw of this animal : who has retreated from the eastern parts 

 f the continent, and occupies that wide and extensive range of country 

 upon all the waters which form the sources of the Missouri : where he 

 exists the terror of the savages, and the tyrant of all other animals; de- 

 vouring alike mau and beast, and defying the attacks of whole tribes of 

 indiaus. (15) 



These descriptions might be increased in interest by referring to the 

 time when the buffalo, which now occupies the prairies of Lou:;iana in 

 herds sometimes of fifty thousand, inhabited this state. This animal is 

 supposed, by Pennant to be the bonasus, urns, or bison of the ancients and 

 the stock from whence our domestic cattle is derived; although Biiffbn 

 is of a different opinion. He must be carefully distinguished from the 

 bos Indicus, or buffalo of India, which is a distinct race and is in a domes- 

 tic state in Italy and some other parts of Europe. The american buffalo 

 has also been tamed in a few instances ; and both these animals may be 

 rendered highly useful in husbandry. (16) The moose and the elk have, 

 been confounded together by european naturalists, whereas they are 

 radically distinct. (17) The former is confined to America, is never 

 seen south of the forty-fourth degree of oorth latitude, and his range is 

 limited to about ten degrees of latitude and fewer of longitude : he may 

 probably grow to the height of twenty hands. There is reason to appre- 

 hend the total extinction of these animals, as they herd in droves of eigh- 

 teen or twenty In winter and return to the same spot at night ; and, when 

 the snow is deep and encrusted, suffer themselves to be kiUed without 

 moving from the place they have trampled. It is now time, therefore, 



* Ursos arctos. The Linnsan name of that animal i? ursus raaritiraus ; of the 

 Common bear of Europe, ursus arctos ; and of the common bear of America, ursos 

 arftericanus. The grizzly bear has no scientific name. 



