THE COMMON BEAR. 353 



the board with greater force than he would other- 

 wise do ; and, finding one of his paws wounded, 

 and fixed by the hooks, he endeavours to free him- 

 self by striking it forcibly with the other. Both the 

 paws being now fixed, bellowing with pain he rises 

 on his hind feet ; this motion immediately brings 

 the board before his eyes, and so perplexes him, that 

 he throws himself down in fury, and his violent 

 struggles at length destroy him. 



It would be difficult to name a species of animals, 

 except the Sheep, so variously serviceable to man 

 after its death, as the Bear is to the Kamtschadales. 

 Of the skin, they make beds, covertures, caps and 

 gloves, and collars for their sledge-dogs. Those who 

 go upon the ice for the capture of marine animals, 

 make their shoe soles of the same substance, which 

 thus never slip upon the ice. The fat of the Bear 

 is held in great estimaiion by all the inhabitants of 

 Kamtschatka, as a very savoury and wholesome nou- 

 rishment ; and, when rendered fluid by melting, it 

 supplies the place of oil. The flesh is esteemed a 

 great delicacy. The intestines, when cleansed and 

 properly scraped, are worn by the/^//V sex^ as masks 

 to preserve their faces from the effects of the sun- 

 beams ; which here, being reflected from the snow, 

 arc generally found to blacken the skin, but by this 

 means the Kamtschadale ladies preserve a fine com- 

 plexion. The Russians of Kamtschatka make of 

 these intestines window panes, which are as clear and 

 transparent as those made of Muscovy-glass. Of 

 the shoulder-blades, are made sickles for cutting 

 grass ; and the heads and haunches are hung up by 



Vol. I. A a 



