COLLECTION OF MAMMALIA. 3l5 



which assist them in sucking the blood of large 

 quadrupeds, even without awaking them from 

 sleep. The most formidable species is the vam- 

 pire (vespertilio spectrum, Lin.), which is very 

 noxious in several parts of South America by 

 killing cattle. 



On the lower shelves of the case to the left are 

 the hedgehog, the tenrecus, and different species 

 of moles. 



The first of the six cases, which cover the left 

 wall, contains the bears. Those on the moun- 

 tains of Europe retire into caves, where they pass 

 the winter in a state of torpidity. The largest 

 species, and the most celebrated by the exagge- 

 rated accounts of its voracity, is the sea or polar 

 bear, whose fur is white. It lives on the bor- 

 ders of the frozen ocean, and pursues the seals 

 and other marine animals, which it seizes swim- 

 ming, when they rise to the surface to respire. 

 It remains buried under the snow from October 

 till March, and the female brings forth during 

 this period : it dreads heat more than any other 

 quadruped. The individual in this case lived in 

 the menagerie, and had eighty pails of water 

 thrown over him daily. By the side of this 

 northern bear is a species from India, which 

 feeds on honey ; it was lately brought by M. Les- 

 chenault from the mountains of Gates, had not 



