134 THE BLACK BEAE. 



like dogs the day after being taken ; but 

 if many months old when caught, all efforts 

 to tame them are in vain. 



The common black bear is not only more 

 numerous, but is spread over a much larger 

 extent of country, than the snow bear, being 

 found both in the higher and lower hills. 

 Occupying the more inhabited districts of 

 the Himalayas, they are very frequent and 

 unwelcome visiters to the fields and orchards 

 when tired of their spring food of roots, 

 grass, scorpions and other shelled insects. 

 In remote places they are sometimes seen 

 near the villages, both long before dark, and 

 after daylight, committing great ravages in 

 the green barley, buckwheat, and khoda (a 

 grain common in the lower and middle 

 hills) ; wheat they will not touch. Wherever 

 there are apricot trees, they are sure to be 

 regular visiters to the orchards as long as 

 the fruit lasts. The time when they may 

 be seen in the greatest numbers, is the 

 autumn of a year in which acorns are 

 plentiful. Then from October to December 



