THE BLACK BEAR OF PENNSYLVANIA 13 



lifting itself on its great hind feet and of remaining 

 erect with the greatest ease. When attacked in 

 close contact, it rears up and strikes terrific blows 

 with its fore^paws, which often cause dreadful in- 

 juries to its antagonist. 



The bear's paws are armed with long, sharp talons 

 which are not capable of reaction, but which tear 

 through the flesh and are most efficient weapons of 

 ofTense when urged by the powerful muscles which 

 give force to the bear's body and limbs. 



Should the adversary elude the quick, heavy blows 

 of the paws, the bear endeavors to seize the foe 

 around the body and" by pressure to overcome its 

 enemy. In guarding itself from blows aimed at itself 

 the bear is adroit and wards off the fiercest strokes 

 with the dexterity of a trained pugilist. 



The venerable Otis J. P. Lyrnan, born in 1836, now 

 living at Roulette, Pa., told the following: 



"About fifty years ago I had a scrap with a very 

 large bear, but I did not finish it, either first or second 

 best. I was working on a lumber job on the Wykoff 

 Branch of Cowley Run, drawing pine logs to the 

 slide at the top of the hill, and starting them down 

 the slide to Preston's mill. 



/'The snow was two feet deep on the level hilltop 

 and I had rolled a log of 600 board feet into the loose 

 snow, and was bothered to get it started down the 

 slide. My dog began barking out in the woods and 

 laurel, as if he had treed a man, as was his bad habit 



