62 



ANI3IALS IN MENAGERIES. 



The Grisly Bear. 



Ursus ferox, Lewis and Clarke (1814). Ursus cinereus, Des- 

 marest (1820). Ursus borribilis, Say (1822). Ursus Ca- 

 nadensis, Hamilton Smith. (1826). Grisly Bear, Mackenzie. 

 (Fig. 7.) 



The famous exploratory 

 expedition of captains 

 Lewis and Clarke, which 

 brought to light so many 

 of the zoological produc- 

 tions of Northern Ame- 

 rica, first made natural- 

 ists distinctly acquainted 

 with this new and ter- 

 rible bear, distinguished from all others of the New 

 Continent by its great strength and ferocity, and its 

 peculiar greediness for animal food. It had, however, 

 long been known to the Indians and fur traders as a 

 distinct species, and is even vaguely mentioned in several 

 of the early French accounts of the districts it inhabits. 

 Of this formidable animal there is now (1830) a fine 

 adult specimen living in the Tower menagerie, which was 

 caught as a young cub on the Rocky Mountains ; and, 

 although sent home to England by the Hudson's Bay 

 company about eight years ago, this animal is said to be 

 very savage. The strength and ferocity of this species, 

 in its state of nature, is so great, that the Indian hunters 

 use much precaution in attacking it. Some idea of 

 its prodigious power may be formed from the fact of 

 its having been known to drag to a considerable distance 

 the carcass of a buffalo, weighing about 1000 pounds. 

 The grisly bear is reported to attain a weight exceeding 

 800 pounds ; and captains Lewis and Clarke mention 

 one that measured nine feet long, — a size fully equal to 

 that of the largest polar or white bears. 



The following anecdote, which well illustrates the 

 savage nature of this species, is given by Dr. Richardson, 

 who says it is well authenticated. " A party of voyagers 



