rible, indeed, are these claws, measuring as much as five inches 

 in length, and curved for convenience in holding the prey while the 

 piercing sharpness penetrates far within. Equally sharp and strong 

 are the keen-edged teeth and the massive forelimbs possess suf- 

 ficient might to down most of its victims with a single blow. 



Nor do its ferocity and natural weapons have to make up for 

 any inferiority of size, since of all bears it is the largest, having a 

 length of from six to eight feet, a girth of about the same dimen- 

 sions, and a weight of from six to ten hundred pounds. In its gait 

 it may be ungainly, swinging its bulky frame from side to side as it 

 lopes along at an awkward pace, and seeming to beat time by the 

 rolling motion of : ts big head, but, in spite of all this, it manages 

 to get over the ground at a very creditable rate of speed. Neither 

 has it any fear of the water, as it is an excellent swimmer, and only 

 in tree-climbing does this species, at least when full grown, prove 

 less skilful than others of its family. 



60 



