RUSSIAN OR SIBERIAN BEAR. 161 



liibited in the City of London, by order of the Lord 

 Mayor and Aldermen. 



This Bear is still hunted in Eussia, being driven by 

 beaters towards the sportsmen. Li Scotland the Manes 

 of the slain Bear was exorcised by the women. A some- 

 what similar custom is possessed by the North American 

 Indians, called the " Bear Dance," but this is performed 

 before the hunt of the animal. 

 This Bear is often exhibited. 



The Eussian Bear which was kept by Lord Dufferin 

 during his viceroyalty in Ireland, throve well in that 

 country. 



The ears of this Bear are short, and the snout rather 

 elongated ; the feet are furnished with powerful claws ; 

 the tail is short ; the fur is finer than that of the 

 American Grizzly ; the eyes small and brilliant ; the 

 general colour is pale brown, the longer hairs having 

 often white tips. Many animals are black over two- 

 thirds of the body, and again are often of a pale colour, 

 all intermediate shades being found. The Pyrenean 

 animal is probably paler. There is a characteristic 

 hump or longer growth of fur between the shoulders ; 

 this is also found in the American Grizzly. 

 The Eussian Bear is of moderate size. 

 The fur when pale is occasionally dyed or topped. It 

 is used for trimmings, wrappers, rugs, sleigh-robes, 

 boas, etc. 



Many skins are imported into this country by fur- 

 traders. The cubs are, as a rule, lighter in colour. 



The young cubs play together in a rough-and-tumble 

 fashion, occasionally making a buzzing sound of satis- 

 faction. 



This Bear is omnivorous, eating young buds and 

 vegetable matter, and having a special liking for honey, 



M 



