624 HISTORY OF 



t!icn continues in its native fierceness, and though caged, still 

 tbrniidabiy impotent, at the approach of its keeper flies to meet 

 him. But notwithstanding the fierceness of this animal, the na- 

 tives of those countries where it is found, hunt it with great per- 

 severance and alacrity. The least dangerous method of taking it is 

 Ijy intoxicating it, by throwing brandy upon honey, which it seems 

 to be chiefly fond of, and seeks for in the hollow of trees. In 

 Canada, where the black bears are very common, uid where 

 their dens are made in trees that are hollow towards the top, 

 tl'.ey are taken by setting fire to their retreats, which are often 

 above thirty-feet from the ground. The old one is generally 

 seen first to issue from her den, and is shot by the hunters. The 

 young ones as they descend are caught in a noose, and are either 

 kept, or killed for provision. Their paws are said to be a great 

 delicacy, and their hams are well enough known at the tables of 

 the luxurious here. Their fat also, which still preserves a cer- 

 tain degree of fluidity, is supposed to be an efficacious remedy 



ative weakness of the claws, which are scarcely more thau half as long as 

 those of the other Indian bears. Like the latter, its colour is invariably of 

 a uniform glossy jet-black, except on the lower lip, which is white; as is 

 also a patch occupying the front of the neck, and in shape like a Y, the 

 two upper limbs of wliich pass in front of the shoulders, v.hile the lower 

 one occupies tlie middle line of the chest. The upper part of the muzzle is 

 black, with a slight reddish tint on the sides ; and the edges of the lips flesh- 

 ro!oiu-ed. The liair, Avliich is smooth on the muzzle, becomes shaggy on 

 the back part of the head, from the base of the eai-s downwards, and adds 

 considerably to the apparent volume of that part, but not quite to the same 

 extent as in tlie Ursus labiatus, in old individuals of which it almost touches 

 the ground. 



Another species connected v.'ith the above is the Bornean Bear. Tlie 

 Eornean bear is perhaps somewhat shorter iu liis proportions tlian the rest 

 oi the group, and the great proportional breadtli of his liead extends also to 

 tlie neck and body. The claws are very long, strongly arched, and very 

 gradually attenuated to the point, which is transversely truncated and 

 cldefly fitted for digging the earth; but probably also for enabling it to climb 

 Vi-ith great agiiity. The fur is short and glistening, soraewliat rigid, but 

 closely applied to the skin, and smooth to the touch. Ou the body, 

 head, and extremities, the Bornean bear has the same pure, satured jet- 

 black tint which is observed in the Malayan. Tlie muzzle, including the re- 

 gion of the eyes, has a yellowish brown colour ; and the anterior part of 

 the neck is marked by a large broad patch of a more vivid and nearly 

 orange tint, which is of an irregidar quadrangular form, and deeply notched 

 above. The difference in the form and coloiu- of this patch constitutes the 

 chief distinction between the present animal and Malayan species, in whidi 

 latter it is crescent-ahaiM>a and vvliite. 



