ANi.>lAI,S. 525 



ill white or indolent tnm»rs, though probably very little superior 

 to hog's lard. 



The WHITE GREENLAND iJEAR differs greatly, both in figure 

 and dimensions, from those already described; and though it pre- 

 serves in general the external form of its more southern kin- 

 dred, yet it grows to above three times the size. The brown bear 

 is seldom above six feet long ; the white bear is often known 

 from twelve to thirteen. I'he brown bear is made rather strong 

 and sturdy like the mastiff ; the Greenland bear, though covered 

 with very long hair, and apparently bulky, is nevertheless more 

 slender, both as to the head, neck, and body, and more inclining 

 to the shape of the greyhound. In short all the variations of its 

 figure, and its colour seem to proceed from the coldness of the 

 climate where it resides, and the nature of the food it is sup- 

 plied with. 



The white bear seems the only animal, that, by being placed 

 in the coldest climate, grows larger than those that live in the 

 temperate zones. All other species of animated nature diminish 

 as they approach the poles, and seem contracted in their size by 

 the rigours of the ambient atmosphere •, but the bear, being un- 

 molested in these desolate climates, and meeting no animal but 

 what he can easily conquer, finding also a sufficient supply of 

 fishy provisions, grows to an enormous size ; and as the lion is 

 the tyrant of an African forest, so the bear remains undisputed 

 master of the icy mountains in Spitzbergen and Greenland. 

 When our mariners land upon those shores, in such parts as 

 nave not been frequented before, the white bears come down to 

 view them with an awkward curiosity; they approach slowly, 

 seeming undetermined whether to advance or retreat, and being 

 naturally a timorous animal, they are only urged on by the 

 conscious experience of their former victories ; however, 

 when they are shot at, or wounded, they endeavour to lly, or, 

 finding that impracticable, they make a fierce and desperate 

 resistance till they die. As they live upon fish and seals, 

 their flesh is too strong for food, and the captors have nothing 

 but the skin to reward them for the dangers incurred in the en- 

 gagement. 



The number of these animals that ai'e found about the north 

 pole, if we consider the sceucity there of all other terrestrial 

 f reaturcs, is vei y amazing. They are not only seen at land, but 



