PHILOPROGENITIYEXESS OF THE BEAK. 



567 



her t\vo cubs. The seamen at a suitable moment fired at the latter, 

 and killed them. The mother was also wounded, but not mortally. 

 It was a spectacle which drew tears from the least susceptible to see 

 the marks of sorrow and tenderness lavished by this poor beast upon 

 her young. She carried to them a piece of the flesh which she had 

 taken possession of, and divided it into two portions, which she placed 

 before them. Seeing that they did not eat, she touched them alter- 

 nately with her fore-paws, and endeavoured to raise them, uttering 

 at the same time the most lamentable groans. Then she withdrew, 



THE WHITE BEAR AXD HER CUBS. 



halted a few paces, and summoned her little ones by a low sad cry. 

 As they remained insensible to her appeal, she returned to them, 

 moved them anew, smelt them on every side, dragged them some 

 distance, again returned, still moaning and bewailing, licked their 

 wounds, called them ; and finally, when assured that they had ceased 

 to live, and understanding what had transpired, she stood half erect 

 by a great effort, turned towards the ship, and gave vent to a roar of 

 agony and rage, an unmistakable imprecation against her murderers. 



