i 4 CARNIVORES. 



THE GRIZZLY BEAR ( Ursus horribilis). 



The gigantic grizzly bear of Western North America, whose range extends 

 from Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to Mexico, is generally regarded as a 

 species distinct from the brown bear, although there can be no question but that 

 the two are very closely related. There are, however,some slight differences in the 

 characters of the skull and cheek-teeth in the two forms, while the grizzly bear 

 is generally larger in size, greyer in colour, and has shorter and less valuable fur 

 than its European cousin. Some of the brown bears from Northern Asia are 

 probably nearly or quite as large as an average-sized grizzly ; while the difference 

 in this respect between brown bears from different districts indicates that mere 

 size cannot be a matter of much importance. All the American hunters recognise 

 several varieties of greyish bears, respectively known as the " silver-tip," " roach- 

 back," and the " barren-ground " bear, in addition to the typical grizzly ; and Dr. 

 Hart Merriam is disposed to regard the last as a distinct species, under the name 

 of U. richardsoni. We prefer, however, to adopt the view that there are but two 

 distinct species of North American bears. Occasionally, as in the case of the black 

 bear, there may be cinnamon-coloured varieties of the grizzly ; and it was at one 

 time considered that such yellow-haired bears constituted a distinct species the 

 so-called cinnamon bear ( U. cinnamomus), but it is now known that such colora- 

 tion is merely a phase common to each species. Dr. W. S. Rainsford states, indeed, 

 that he has seen a female grizzly with three cubs, of which one was almost 

 yellow, a second nearly black, and the third grey. The so-called barren-ground 

 bear of Arctic America is stated to come very close to the European brown bear, 

 and may indeed prove to be the connecting link between it and the typical grizzly. 

 Whether, then, the grizzly bear be rightly regarded as a distinct species, or 

 whether it be merely a well-marked race of the brown bear, we take it to include 

 all the grey and brownish bears of North America. In addition to this wide range 

 in colour, there are considerable differences in form. Thus some have a well- 

 marked hump at the back of the head, extending to the shoulders, which is 

 totally wanting in others ; while the width of the sole of the hind-foot is subject 

 to great individual variation. 



The accounts of the size and weight of the grizzly are very 



Dimensions. >; J 



discrepant, and have probably been much exaggerated ; most of the 



measurements having been taken from pegged-out skins, while the weights are 

 mere estimates. It is said that the finest grizzlies hail from Alaska, but it is 

 probable that those formerly inhabiting the Pacific flanks of the high Sierra 

 Nevada were really the largest. These, however, have been nearly or completely 

 -exterminated by the shepherds, who poisoned them on account of the ravages 

 they committed on their flocks. These Sierra grizzlies are reported to have been 

 of the enormous weight of 1800 Ibs. ; and there seems no doubt that instances of 

 1400 and 1200 have been reached. Dr. Rainsford states, however, that he 

 estimates the weight of the largest grizzly with which he was acquainted at 

 1000 Ibs., and gives 900 Ibs. as that of an unusually large male. The skin of this 

 animal measured 9 feet 3 inches from the nose to the hind-foot, when pegged out 

 without undue stretching; another skin measured in the same manner reached 



