60 
BUA GK Ws BAR. 
then migrate into the lower parts of Louifiana : they arrive very lean; 
but foon fatten with the vegetables of that milder climate*. They 
never wander far from the banks of the AMdififipi, and in their march 
form a beaten path like the track of men. 
Law/on and Catefby + relate a very furprizing thing in refpeé to: 
this animal, which is, that neither European or Indian. ever killed.a 
Bear with young. In one winter were killed in Virginia five hun- 
dred bears, and among them only two females ; and thofe not preg- 
nant. The caufe is, that the male has the fame unnatural diflike 
to its offspring as fome other animals have: they will kill. and de- 
vour the cubs. The females therefore retire, before the time of par- 
turition, into the depth of woods and rocks, to. elude the fearch of 
their favage mates. It is faid that they do not make their appear- 
ance with their young till March f. 
All who have tafted the flefh of this animal fay, that it is moft de- 
licious eating: a young Bear, fattened with the autumnal fruits, is a, 
difh fit for the niceft epicure. It is wholefome and nourifhing, and re- 
fembles pork more than any other meat. The tongue and the paws 
are efteemed the moft exquifite morfels ; the hams are alfo excellent, 
but apt to ruft, if not very well preferved. 
Four inches depth of fat has been found ona fingle Bear, and fif- 
teen or fixteen gallons of pure oil melted from it §. The fat is of a 
pure white, and has the fingular quality of never lying heavy on the- 
ftomach, notwithftanding a perfon drank a quart of it). The Ame- 
vicans make great ufe of it for frying their fifth. It is befides ufed 
medicinally, and has been found very efficacious in rheumatic com- 
plaints, achs, and ftrains. 
The Indians of Louifiana prepare it thus:—As foon as they have 
killed the Bear, they fhoot a Deer; cut off the head, and draw the 
{kin entire to the legs, which they cut off: they then ftop up every 
orifice, except that on the neck, into which they pour the melted fat 
* Du Pratz, ii. 60. + Lawfon, 117. Catefby, App. xxvi. t Fofelyn’s 
Voy: OTe § Bartram’s journ. E. Florida, 26. \t Law/on, 116. ¢ 
oO 
