100 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Bear baiting Appearance of the cubs. 



people, who crowd around to see the animal's 

 rude Attempts to imitate human actions, is not to 

 be wondered at : but it is much to be wished that 

 the timely interference of the magistrate would 

 prevent eveiy exhibition of the kind; that in 

 England, at least, we might not be reproached 

 with tolerating practices so disgraceful to huma- 

 nity." The brutal custom of bear-baiting was 

 formerly one of the most favourite diversions in 

 England, and even deemed worthy the attention 

 of people of fashion. In the reign of Queen Eli^ 

 zabeth, it was thought an entertainment suitable 

 for a foreign ambassador; and when her majesty 

 visited Kenelwortb castle, it was one of the 

 amusements prepared for her gratification. 



The female bear goes with young about six 

 months, and generally brings forth two cubs at a 

 time. These are at first round and almost shape- 

 less, with pointed muzzles; but are not, as the 

 ancient naturalists supposed, licked into regular 

 form by the mother, They are about eight 

 inches long when produced, and are said to be 

 blind for nearly a month. The bears go into 

 their winter retreats extremely fat; but as they 

 cat nothing during that season, they come out 

 excessively lean in the spring; and from the cir^ 

 cumstance of nothing but a frothy slime having 

 been found in the stomachs of those that have 

 been killed on their re-appearance, it has been 

 generally supposed, that they support themselves 

 through the winter by sucking their paws. 



