CARXIVORA. 229 



once abounded in Syria, is proved by the existence 

 of a particular species in the country, which shall 

 be noticed in the sequel. Nor are the high lands 

 of Abyssinia, or the range of Atlas without a bear, 

 though neither are as yet described ;* and, there* 

 fore, the notice of Lybian Bears, recorded to have 

 been exhibited at Rome by Domitius ^Enobarbus in 

 his edileship, during the consulate of M. Piso and M. 

 Messala, deserves more credit than the negative of 

 Pliny, who was certainly in error respecting stags. 



The dentition of this genus consists typically in 

 all, of incis. , can. {-{, mol. f -f = 42 : the crowns 

 of the molars evince a decided predilection for a 

 ftugivorous habit, but little modified in the sub- 

 genera, and several incisors and premolars occasion- 

 ally drop out, or are not evolved. The feet are all 

 pentadactylous, armed with strong claws more or 

 less in line, not much curved, and formed more for 

 digging and climbing than tearing. The limbs are 

 robust and high, compared with other adjoining 

 Carnivora. The ears ample enough, rounder or 

 obtusely pointed ; the tail always short, or almost 

 nul ; the eyes small ; and the fur, in all cold cli- 

 mates, exceedingly abundant and long. In those 

 climates also, the males, and, in some species, all 



* Mr. Bly th, from a notice by Mr. Crowther, states an 

 adult female of the Atlas Bear to be inferior to the American 

 Black Bear, but more robust ; the face shorter, broader, 

 muzzle pointed ; toes and claws very short ; fur shaggy, 

 brownish-black above, below orange-rufous. The specimen 

 \vas killed at the foot of the Tetuan Mountains. Does not 

 climb with ease. 



