THE AMERICAN BEAR. 101 



Mutual attachment Instance of revenge. 



The black bears are said to be so remarkably 

 attached to each other, that the hunters never 

 dare to fire at a young one, while the dam is on 

 the spot ; for, if the cub happen to fall, she be- 

 comes infuriate, and will either avenge herself, 

 or perish in the attempt. If, on the contrary? 

 the mother should be shot, the cubs will remain 

 by her side long after she is dead, exhibiting 

 every mark of regret and affliction. Some years 

 since, a man nearly lost his life, in Hungary, by 

 firing at a young bear, in the presence of its dam, 

 who had been merely concealed from his sight by 

 some bushes ; for, at one blow with her paw, she 

 tore off great part of his scalp. This animal sel- 

 dom uses its teeth as weapons of defence, but 

 generally strikes its adversary with its fore-paws 

 like a cat; and if possible, seizes him between 

 its paws, and presses him to death. 



THE AMERICAN BEAR. 



THIS species differs from the European bear, 

 principally in being smaller ; and in having a 

 more lengthened head, pointed nose, and longer 

 ears. The hair also is more smooth, soft, and 

 glossy ; and the cheeks and throat are of a yel- 

 lowish-brown colour. 



These animals arrive in Louisiana, driven thi- 

 ther by the snows of the more northern climates, 

 tovyards the end of autumn. At this time they 



