288 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE BROWN BEAR. 



(Ursus caiuia abnipta, Linn. L' Ours, Buif.j 



THERE are two principal varieties of the Bear, 

 the Brown and the Black. The former is found in 

 almost every climate, the Black Bear chiefly in the 

 forests of the northern regions of Europe and 

 America. 



The Brown Bear is sometimes carnivorous; but 

 its general food is roots, fruits, and vegetables. 



It is a savage and solitary animal, lives in desert 

 and unfrequented places, and chuses its den in the 

 most dangerous and inaccessible precipices of un- 

 frequented mountains. It retires alone to its den 

 about the end of autumn, (at which time it is ex- 

 ceedingly fat) and lives for several weeks in a state 

 of total inactivity and abstinence from food. Dur- 

 ing this time, the female brings forth her young, 

 and suckles them. She chuses her retreat for that 

 purpose, in the most retired places, apart from the 



