4 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Numerous in Kamtschatka Peaceful disposition. 



These animals are so numerous in Kamts- 

 chatka, that they are often seen roaming about 

 the plains in great companies ; and they would 

 certainly have long since depopulated the coun- 

 try, were they riot here much more gentle than 

 the generality of bears in other parts of the 

 world. During the winter season they reside 

 chiefly in the mountains; but in spring, they de- 

 scend in multitudes to the mouths of the rivers, 

 for catching fish, which swarm in all the streams 

 of that peninsula. If there be plenty of this 

 food, they eat nothing but the heads of the fish ; 

 and whenever they have the fortune to find the 

 fishermen's nets, they dexterously drag them out 

 of the water, and empty them of their contents. 



When a Kamtschadale espies one of these ani- 

 mals, he endeavours to conciliate its friendship 

 at a distance, accompanying his gestures by 

 courteous words. The bears are indeed so fami- 

 liar here, that even the women and girls, when 

 gathering roots, herbs, or turf, for their fuel, in 

 the midst of a whole drove of bears, are never 

 disturbed in their employment; and if any of 

 these animals approach them, it is only to eat 

 something out of their hands. They have never 

 been known to attack a man, except when sud 

 denly roused from sleep; and it rarely happens 

 that they turn upon the marksman, whether they 

 be hit or not. This humane character of the 

 Kamtschadale bear, however, procures him no 

 exemption from persecution. Armed with a 



