340 OUT OF DOORS. 



like a sponge, so that its weight is increased three or 

 four fold, and is extremely embarrassing when the 

 animal is trying to crawl from the water up a smooth 

 surface. Seeing that the bear was losing both strength 

 and confidence, Mr. Bartlett let the water out of the 

 pond, and then, by means of two poles which gently 

 kept pressing its neck and knees, coaxed him backwards 

 into the cage, in which he was shut. 



Next day he was again admitted to the large den, 

 when an amusing scene took place. So soon as he 

 entered the old bear opened her mouth as widely as she 

 could, and walked up to him, without uttering a sound. 

 The action was expressive, and meant this : ' Look here, 

 young gentleman these are my teeth, and if you 

 behave to-day as you did yesterday you will get a taste 

 of their quality.' He took the advice, and demeaned 

 himself in a sober and respectful manner. Most animals 

 act in the same way. If, for example, a new monkey 

 is put into the great cage, there is a general showing of 

 teeth, accompanied by mutual comparison of strength 

 and consequent amity : 



Marry, peace it bodes, and lore, and quiet life, 

 And awful rule, and right supremacy. 



Here, as in the aquarium, there is no quarrelling for 

 mere malice, and, indeed, there is but little squabbling 

 on any account. The weaker acknowledge the power of 

 the stronger, and there is an end of the matter at once. 



Another point that has to be kept in mind is the 

 extreme sensitiveness of the animals ; and it is a re- 



