POLAR BEAR. 



65 



by white, arched^ and very long claws, compressed like 

 the cutting teeth of a squirrel. The tail is very short 

 so as to be hidden by the hair of the buttocks : this is 

 a peculiar distinction ; since that of the black species 

 is sufficiently conspicuous, and that of the barren 

 ground bear is even still longer. 



The Polar or Sea Bear. 



Ursus maritimus, Linn. L'Ours blanc, Buffon. Ursus ma- 

 Polar Bear, Pennant. ( Fig. 8. ) 



This ferocious wanderer of the arctic circle is dis- 

 tinguished from all other bears by its small narrow head, 

 and lengthened muzzle. Its colour is invariably yel- 

 lowish white ; but this distinction is not to be entirely 

 depended upon, since other species are occasionally found 

 of the same colour towards the regions of eternal snow. 

 Eminently adapted, by his structure and his instinct, for 

 swimming and diving, the polar bear procures ample 

 sustenance in regions where man would perish from 

 hunger. He is the appointed inhabitant of those float- 

 ing fields of ice which stretch to the northern pole. 

 Here he carries on an almost constant w^arfare with fish, 

 seals, foxes ; and is known even to attack the formidable 

 walrus. He scents his prey at a vast distance^ and 

 seems greedily to devour every thing that comes in his 

 way. He will frequently be carried on the ice from 

 Greenland to Iceland ; where the white bears commit 



