HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 297 



wounded it. The animal immediately set up the 

 most dreadful yells, and ran along the ice towards 

 the boat. Before it reached it, a second shot was 

 fired, and hit it. This served to increase its fury. 

 It presently swam to the boat; and in attempting 

 to get on board, reached its fore foot upon the gun- 

 wale; but one of the crew having a hatchet, cut it 

 off. The animal still, however, continued to swim 

 after them till they arrived at the ship ; and several 

 shots were fired at it, which also took effect: but on 

 reaching the ship, it immediately ascended the 

 deck; and the crew having fled into the shrouds, it 

 was pursuing them thither, when a shot from one 

 of them laid it dead upon the deck. 



Its flesh is white, and is said to taste like mutton. 

 The fat is melted for train oil; and that of the feet 

 is used in medicine. 



The White Bear brings forth two young at a 

 time. Their fondness for their offspring is so great 

 that they will die rather than desert them : wounds 

 serve only to make the attachment more violent: 

 they embrace their cubs to the last, and bemoan 

 them with the most piteous cries. 



They feed on fish, Seals, and the carcases of 

 Whales. Allured by the scent of Seal's flesh, they 

 often break into the huts of the Greenlanders. 

 They sometimes attack the Morse, with which they 

 have terrible conflicts ; but the large teeth of that 

 animal give it a decided superiority over the Bear,, 

 which is generally worsted. 



VOL. III. 2 P 



