Article XIII. A NEW BEAR FROM THE ALASKA 

 PENINSULA. 



By J. A. ALLEN. 

 PLATES XXX AND XXXI. 



Another l interesting and unexpected addition to the mam- 

 malian fauna of the Alaska Peninsula, obtained by the Andrew 

 J. Stone Expedition, is a new species of large bear, repre- 

 sented by a skin and skull obtained by Mr. Stone at Portage 

 Bay, opposite Port Muller, Alaska Peninsula. 



This bear is of special interest not only on account of its 

 large size, but also on account of the cranial differences it 

 presents in comparison with the bears of the Kenai Peninsula 

 and Kadiak Island. The skull and skin belong to different 

 individuals, the skin being that of (probably) a very old male, 

 and the skull that of a full-grown but not aged adult. In 

 recognition of Dr. C. Hart Merriam's excellent revision of the 

 North American Bears a this species may appropriately bear 

 the name 



Ursus merriami, sp. nov. 



Type. No. 17622, skull $ ? adult, but not old, Portage Bay, oppo- 

 site Port Muller, Alaska Peninsula, 1901 ; Andrew J. Stone Expedition. 



Topotype. No. 17621, skin, $ ? adult, Portage Bay, Alaska, May, 

 1901; Andrew J. Stone Expedition. 



Head yellowish brown, with a broad dark brown median band run- 

 ning forward from the nape as far as the eyes; cheeks and throat dull 

 dark brown with a cast of reddish; whole dorsal region dark brown 

 with the tips of the hairs light, resulting in a yellowish gray surface 

 tint, which is lightest over the shoulders and darker posteriorly and 

 on the sides; lower part of flanks, whole ventral surface, and the 

 limbs dark ruddy brown, much darker than the upper surface of the 

 body. 



Measurements. The external measurements available are only such 

 as can be obtained from the flat skin, as follows: length from nose to 

 tail, 3050 mm.; from tip to tip of outstretched fore limbs, 3230; from 



1 See this Bulletin, Vol. XVI, Art. X, pp. 119-127, March, 1902. 



2 ' Preliminary Synopsis of the American Bears.' Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, Vol. 

 X, pp. 65-83, pll. iv-vi, April 13, 1896. 



[Mi] 



