SDf 'Bctit^juntiitfi:* 135 



fodt^ by the acidity whereof their guts are enlarged •, and 

 being recovered, they remain more fierce and cruel than 

 at other times,during the time their young are with them: 

 and this is the herb, Tome fay, which they eat to make 

 them flecp fo long in winter without fenfe of cold or 

 hunger. 



They are whelped moft commonly in March, forae- 

 times two, and not above five in number j the moft part 

 ot them are dead one whole day after they are whelped ; 

 but the Bear doth fo lick them and warm them with her 

 breath, and hug them in her bofom, that (he quickly re- 

 vives them again. 



It is commonly received as a trutli, (though it be 

 a palpable vulgar errour ) That the whelps of tiears at 

 their firji littering are without aliform and fa(hion^ arid no~ 

 thing but a little congealed blood lih^ a lump of flejh , 

 vphich afterwards the aid one frametk with her tongue 

 by licking them to her own likenej?. This opinion may 

 be eafily difproved i for they are onely littered blind 

 without hair, and the hinder- legs not perfed, the fore- 

 feet folded up like a fift, and other members deform- 

 ed , by reafon of the immoderate humour or moift- 

 nefs in them •, which alfo is one caufe why (he cannot 

 retain in her womb the feed to- the perfection of the 

 young ones, vihtitoi Joachimus Kheticus is an eye-wit- 

 nefs, 



'' As foon as the dam perceiveth her cubs to grow 

 ftrong, (he fuckleth them no longer, by reafon ot their 

 cur(^nefs i for they will forely bite her if they cannot 

 get fuck enough. After this (he preyeth abroad upon 

 any thing (he can meet with, which (he eates, and calts 

 up again to her young ones, and fo feeds them till they 

 can prey for themfelves : They will climb a tree for the 

 fruit. 



If they be hunted, they will follow a man, but not 

 sun upon him unlefs they are wounded. They are 



