THE BEAR TRIBE. 345 



have long formed a considerable article of export 

 from Russia. They are disposed of to the Chinese 

 at the rate of eighty or a hundred rubies each *. 

 The trade for this fur at Nootka, Iiad, not many 

 years ago, nearly produced a war between Great Bri- 

 tain and Spain. — They are sometimes taken with 

 nets, but are more frequently destroyed with clubs 

 and spears. The young animals are said to be de- 

 licate eating, and not easily to be distinguished 

 from Lamb. The flesh of the old ones is insipid 

 and tough. 



THE BEAR TRIBE. 



THE Bears have six front teeth in each jaw. The 

 two lateral ones of the lower jaw are longer than the 

 rest, and lobed with smaller or secondary teeth at 

 their internal bases. There are five or six grinders 

 on each side; and the canine teeth are solitary. 

 The tongue is smooth^ and snout prominent. The 

 eyes are furnished with a nictitating or winking 

 membrane '\~. 



The soles of the feet in all the animals belonging 

 to this tribe are long, and extend to the heel ; which 

 gives them a very firm tread. Some of the species 

 use their fore paws as hands. From the length, 

 and sharpness of their claws, they are all able to 



* Marchaiid, i. 207- t Lix:^i. Gir.el. i. IfiO. 



