THE SLOTH SEAR. 



173 



The capture of Ants is, however, by no means always devoid of inconvenient consequences for the 

 ursine ravisher. The insects are as brave and ferocious as they are industrious, and their strong sharp 

 mandibles are capable of making a considerable impression upon the snout, lips, and eyelids of their 

 huge enemy. 



Like the Sun Bear, the Sloth Bear rarely attacks man unless provoked, but, like it, is, when 

 attacked, a most dangerous antagonist, always making for the face, and especially the eyes. Both in 

 Ceylon and in India the natives have a very wholesome dread of the animal, and, indeed, fear his on- 

 slaught more than that of any other beast. "Among the Singhalese there is a belief that certain charms 

 are efficacious in protecting them from the violence of Bears, and those whose avocations expose them 



SLOTH BEAR. 



to encounters of this kind are accustomed to carry a talisman, either attached to their neck or enveloped 

 in the folds of their luxuriant hair. A friend of mine, writing of an adventure which occurred at 

 Anarajapoora, thus describes an occasion on which a Moorman, who attended him, was somewhat inidely 

 disabused of his belief in the efficacy of charms upon Bears : ' Desiring to change the position of a 

 herd of Deer, the Moorman (with his charm) was sent across some swampy land to disturb them. As 

 he was proceeding, we saw him suddenly turn from an old tree and run back with all speed, his hair 

 becoming unfastened, and, like his clothes, streaming in the wind. It soon became evident that he was 

 flying from a terrific object, for he had thrown down his gun, and, in his panic, he was taking the 

 shortest line towards us, which lay across a swamp covered with sedge and rushes, that greatly impeded 

 his progress, and prevented us approaching him or seeing what was the cause of his flight. Missing 

 his steps from one hard spot to another, he repeatedly fell into the water, but he rose and resumed his 

 flight. I advanced as far as the sods would bear my weight, but to go further was impracticable. 

 Just within ball range there was an open space, and as the man gained it, I saw that he was pursued 

 by a Bear and two cubs. As the person of the fugitive covered the Bear, it was impossible to fire 



