IOC NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Beaten paths When hunted. 



a iv always very lean; as they do not leave the 

 north till the earth is covered with snow, and 

 food is consequently scanty. 



In the country near the Mississippi, they sel- 

 dom venture to any great distance from the hanks 

 of that river; but on each side have in winter 

 such heaten paths, that persons unacquainted with 

 them would mistake them for the tracks of men. 

 Du Pratz says he was once deceived by one of 

 them, which appeared as though thousands of 

 men had been walking along it bare-footed, 

 although it was nearly two hundred miles distant 

 from any human dwelling. " It is proper," says 

 he, " to observe, that in those paths the bear 

 does not pique himself upon politeness, and will 

 yield the way to nobody ; therefore, it is prudent 

 for a traveller not to fall out with him for such a 

 trifling affair." 



Towards the end of December, when the bears 

 are become so fat and lazy, that they can scarcely 

 run, and are also in a condition to furnish a large 

 quantity of oil, they are hunted by the American 

 Indians ; some of whom adopt such singular ce- 

 remonies in their chace, that the account of them 

 inserted in Charlevoix Travels in North America 

 may probably afford some entertainment to the 

 reader. 



" The chace of these animals is a matter of the 

 first importance, and is never undertaken without 

 abundance of ceremony. A principal warrior 

 first gives a general invitation to all the hunters, 



