166 NATURAL HISTORY. 



its kin, has the curious habit of hibernating. During the summer, when food is abundant, it lays in a 

 very large stock of provisions, thereby becoming immensely fat. This operation being satisfactorily 

 performed by the beginning of winter, the Bear, finding that his foraging operations become more and 

 more arduous, seeks out a resting-place, such as a hollow tree or a cavern, or if these are not to be 

 had, makes a sort of rude hut or nest for himself of branches and moss, and then goes into winter 

 quarters, and calmly settles down for a post-prandial slumber, which lasts until spring. He then 

 emerges from his hiding-place, very thin and weak altogether a mere ghost of his former self and 

 immediately sets about repairing his losses by as many hearty meals as he can possibly cram into the 

 time at his disposal, or as the means at his command will allow. 



The Bear feeds chiefly on roots, berries, and other vegetables ; it has also a fondness for Ants, and a 

 perfect passion for honey, in the capture of which he is often severely stung about the nose almost 



COMMON BKOWN BEAR. 



his only vulnerable part by the infuriated inhabitants of the comb. He also preys upon small 

 quadrupeds, and sometimes especially when fully adult on larger ones. He is occasionally bold 

 enough to attack the Bull, but is, as often as not, worsted in the encounter. He rarely attacks man, 

 unless provoked, and then, when his blood is up, is a most dangerous antagonist. His mode of attack is 

 peculiarly his own. He does not fell his victim with a blow of his paw like one of the larger Cats, or 

 seize it at once with his teeth like a Dog, but " gives it the hug" embraces it tightly, and with a great 

 show of affection, with its powerful fore limbs, and continues the squeeze until the wretched animal is 

 suffocated. The female Bear, especially when her family is about, is a particularly ferocious creature. 

 Her savageness is, indeed, proverbial ; she is devoted to her cubs, and any one threatening their safety 

 does so at his own peril. 



The Bear is not only an affectionate mother, but is capable of a very firm friendship, as the follow- 

 ing anecdote, related by Mr. Andersson,* shows. He tells us that, amongst a collection of animals he 

 possessed " were two Brown Bears twins somewhat more than a year old, and playful as kittens when 

 together. Indeed, no greater punishment could be inflicted upon these beasts than to disunite them, 

 for however short a time. Still, there was a marked contrast in their dispositions : one of them was 



"Lake'Ngami." 



