THE COMMON BEAR. 347 



These are generally two in number : they are at first 

 round and almost shapeless, with pointed muzzles ; 

 but are not, as the ancient naturalists supposed, 

 licked into regular form by the motlier. They are 

 about eight inches long when produced, and are 

 said to be blind for nearly a month *. — The Bears 

 go into their winter retreats extremely fat ; but as 

 they eat nothing during that season, they come out 

 excessively lean in the spring : and from the cir- 

 cumstance of nothing but a frothy slime having 

 been found in the stomachs of those that have been 

 killed on their re-appearance, a general opinion has 

 been maintained that they support themselves 

 through the winter by sucking their paws -j-, — 

 Thomson has, with great truth and beauty, de- 

 scribed the retreat of these animals in the frozen 

 climate of the North : 



There through the piny forest half absorpt, 

 Rough tenant of those shades, the shapeless Bear, 

 ^^ ith dangling ice all horrid, stalks forlorn : 

 Slow-pac'd, and sourer as the stonns increase. 

 He makes his bed beneath th' inclement drift ; 

 And, with stern patience, scorning weak complaint. 

 Hardens his heart against assailiuix want. 



* The Authors of La Menagerie da Mascu//i Xa tiuna/ nssevt, that, 

 from observations made on the Bears in the niarslies of Berne, the- 

 young ones, immediately on their birth, are covered with short and 

 bright hair, aud in their appearance aie much more elegant than the 

 parents. They assert also that tliese have always round their necks 

 a circle of white hairs; and tliat tlicy have themselves seen a Bear 

 three feet in lengtli, which still preserved tliis mark, only the hair was 

 become yellowish. The latter animal was usually observed in the a(,t 

 ef sucking its paws. 



t Grieve, 103. 



