,58 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



berries of various kinds; in default of which, it eats 

 roots, insects, fish, eggs, and 

 such birds and quadrupeds 

 as it can surprise. So partial 

 is it, indeed, to vegetables, 

 that, when it can procure 

 til era in abundance, it will 

 pass the carcass of a deer 

 without touching it. It is 

 rather a timid animal, and 

 will seldom face a man, unless 

 compelled by necessity, or when urged by affection to de- 

 fend its young. In such cases it is a dangerous assailant. 

 I have known, continues Dr. Richardson, the female 

 boldly to confront her enemy until she has seen her 

 cubs attain the upper branches of a tree, when she made 

 off, evidently considering them to be in safety, but, in 

 fact, leaving them an easy prey to the hunter. Its speed 

 when in pursuit is not great; and 1 have been told that 

 a man may escape, particularly if he runs into a willow 

 grove, or among long grass ; for the caution of the bear 

 urges it to stop frequently, and rise on its hind legs, for 

 the purpose of reconnoitring. I have, however, seen a 

 black bear make off with a speed which would have 

 baffled the fleetest runner, and ascend a nearly perpen- 

 dicular cliff with a facility that a cat might envy. Its 

 strength and agility, indeed, together with its remark- 

 able tenacity of life, renders an attack upon it at all 

 times hazardous ; and its chase is always considered by 

 the rude inhabitants of the northern regions as a matter 

 of the highest importance. 



The veneration in which the bear is held by the North 

 American Indians is highly curious : Dr. Richardson 

 thinks it may have arisen from the ability and pertinacity 

 with which it defends itself. ISIany of the native tribes 

 will not join the chase, until they have propitiated the 

 whole race of bears by certain speeches and ceremonies ; 

 and when the animal is slain, they treat it with the ut- 

 most respect, speak of it as of a relation, offer it a pipe 



