172 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



"The La]il;in(lcrs bring liDine tlio slain beasts in triimipli ; tliey erect a 

 new tent near their former duelling, bnt nc\er t'nter it till tiiey have Hung 

 oil' the dress of the chase. Tlicy continue in it three entire days, and the 

 wiinien hcej) at home tlie same space. The men dress the careass of the 

 bear in the new tent, ami make tiieir repast, giving part to the females, but 

 take great care not to bestow on them a bit of the runi[). After they liave 

 finished eating the Hesh, they bury the bones with great solenniity, and place 

 every bone in its proper position, from u firm persuasion that the bear will be 

 restored, and reanimate a new liody." 



The flesh of this animal is very delicate, and there is no dish more 

 delicious, as wc know by frequent experiences, than a broiled or fried boar 

 steak. In early litl-, in remote parts of the State of Maine, wc had mnner- 

 ons opportunities of observing the habits, and also of engaging in the chase, 

 of this animal. The most connnon mode of huntin!J was with doos and 

 guns: sometimes they were taken in pits, concealed under pliant branches, 

 covered witii foliage, and often were caught in huge traps. The flesh re- 

 sembles ])ork, and often a layer of fat, f'oin- inches in depth, is found between 

 the skin and flesh. The fiit is whiter than lard, and a large quantity can be 

 oaten wilhout producing any uneasiness or disorder of the stomach. 



The modes, however, that are adopted by the inhabitants of different 

 countries for taking or destroying bears arc very various. Of these, the 

 following appear to be the most remarkable : In consequence of the well- 

 knijwn partiality of these animals for honey, the Russians sometimes fix to 

 those trees where bees are hived a heavy log of wood, at the end of a long 

 string. When the imwicldy creature climbs up to get at the hive, he finds 

 himself interrupted by the log; he pushes it aside, and attenq)ts to jiass in ; 

 but, in returning, it hits him such a blow, that, in a rage, he flings it from 

 him with greater force, whirh makes it return "with increased violence; and 

 he sometimes continues this till he is either killed or falls from the tree. 



In Lapland, hunting the bear is often imdertaken by a single man, who, 

 having discovered the retreat of the animal, takes his dog along with him, 

 and advances towards the spot. The jaws are tied round with a cord, to 

 prevent his balking; and the man holds the other end of this cord in his 

 hand. As sihju as the dog smells the bear, he begins to show signs of im- 

 easiness, and, by dragging at the cord, informs his master that the object 

 of his pursuit is at no great distance. 



When the Laplander, by this means, discovers on which side the bear is 

 stationed, he advances in such a direction that the wind may blow from tlie 

 bear to him, and not the contrary ; for otherwise, the animal wonkl, by his 

 scent, be aware of his approach, though not able to see the enemy, being 

 blinded by sunshine. The olfactory organs of the bear ;u-e exquisite. When 



