157 



WHITE OR POLAR BEAR. 



Ursiis inaritii)iiis. 

 French : Ours blanc. German : Eisbiir. 



The Polar Bear has a wide distribution. It is found 

 on the western shores of Iceland, in Greenland, the 

 northern parts of Norway and Sweden, St. Matthew 

 Island in the Behring Sea, the Arctic circle of Canada 

 and of Alaska, and throughout the Polar regions gener- 

 ally. 



This Bear attains a very large size, and is perhaps 

 the largest of all the Bears, some shins measuring 

 10 feet, and even more. The feet are furnished with 

 long powerful claws. Both feet and legs are covered 

 with long coarse hair, which gives it a peculiar appear- 

 ance when emeroino; from the water. The tail is short 



