MAMMALIA — BEAR. 113 



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 firmly arched, tapering gradually to the point, and well calculated for 

 digging the earth. Its short, glistening fur, rather rigid, yet soft to the 

 touch, is a fine jet black on the body, head, and extremities. The muzzle 

 is of a yellowish brown, and the anterior part of the neck has a large, broad 

 patch, of a more bright and nearly orange tint, and an irregular quadrangu- 

 lar form, deeply notched above. From the muzzle to the tail, one individual 

 measured three feet nine inches. 



"It arrived in this country," says the author of the 'Tower Menagerie,' 

 "about four years ago ; and formed, until lately, one of the most attractive 

 and interesting spectacles, among the animals confined in the menagerie. 

 It was brought from Borneo when very young, and during its passage was 

 the constant associate of a monkey, and of several other young animals. It 

 was thus domesticated in early life, and its manners in confinement greatly 

 resembled those of the Malayan bear, observed by Sir Stamford Raffles, to 

 which it was probably not inferior in sagacity or intellect. It could rest 

 entirely on its posterior feet, and could even raise itself without difficulty, 

 to a nearly erect posture ; but was more generally seen in a sitting attitude 

 at the door of its apartment, eagerly surveying the visiters, and attracting 

 their attention by the uncouthness of its form, and the singularity of its 

 motions. When a morsel of bread or cake was held at a small distance 

 beyond its reach, it woUld thrust forward its upper lip as a proboscis, in a 

 most ludicrous manner, at the same time making use of its paws to seize 

 the object. After obtaining it and filling its mouth, it would place the re- 

 mainder with great calmness on its posterior feet, and bring it in successive 

 portions to its mouth. When craving for food, and also while consuming it, 

 it emitted^ coarse, but not unpleasant, whining sound, accompanied by a 

 low, grunting noise ; but if teased at this time, it would suddenly raise its 

 voice to a harsh, grating tone. It was excessively voracious, and appeared 

 disposed to eat almost without cessation ; a propensity which finally 

 cost it its life, having overgorged itself at breakfast one morning in the 

 summer, during the hot weather, and dying within ten minutes afterwards. 

 On seeing its keeper, it would often place itself in a variety of attitudes, to 

 court his attention and caresses, extending its nose and anterior feet, or, 

 suddenly turning round, exposing its back and waiting for several minutes 

 in this posture with its head placed on the ground. It delighted in being 

 patted and rubbed, even by strangers ; but violently resented abuse and ill 

 treatment. Its principal food was bread." 

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