KM) NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Form, colour, disposition, &c. 



THE POLAR BE4R. 



THIS species differs from the common bear, 

 in having its head and neck of a more lengthened 

 form, and the body longer in proportion to its 

 bulk. The ears and eyes are small; and the 

 teeth remarkably large. The hair is long, harsh 

 to the touch, and of a yellowish white colour; 

 and its limbs are of great strength. The tips of 

 the nose and claws are perfectly black. 



These animals inhabit only the coldest parts of 

 the globe, where the savage and dreary land- 

 scapes well accord with their sullen disposition. 



In the polar regions they are seen in prodigi- 

 ous numbers; not only at land, but often on ice- 

 floats several leagues at sea. They are even 

 sometimes transported in this manner to the 

 shores of Iceland ; and after the long abstinence 

 they must necessarily have undergone in the voy- 

 age, they will attack every object indiscrimi- 

 nately; but it is said, the natives easily elude 

 their fury if they can throw in their way some- 

 thing to amuse them. "A glove," says Mr. 

 Horrebovv, " is very proper for this purpose ; for 

 the bear will not stir till he has turned every fin- 

 ger inside out, and this consequently takes up 

 sufficient time for the person to escape." 



It often happens, that when a Greenlander and 

 his wife are paddling out at sea, by coming too 

 nr-ar an iee-fUmr, a white bear unexpectedly 



