THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR. 119 
its surface which still remains uncultivated and deso- 
late, furnishes an abode to this species of bear, which is 
consequently as widely dispersed as any of his tribe. 
As his fur is of some value in commerce, although not 
so much sought after at the present day as it was for- 
merly, his race has become an object of the cupidity of 
man, by whom they are frequently hunted for the sake 
of their skins. This chase is principally followed by the 
Indians, who are also attracted by the flavour of his 
flesh, of which, and especially of the fat, they partake with 
an avidity truly disgusting. ‘Travellers, however, who 
have been reduced to the necessity of having recourse 
to this sort of food, speak of it as by no means despi- 
cable: the fat yields moreover a quantity of oil, which 
is often extremely serviceable. The Indians will some- 
times attack these animals single-handed; and if they 
can manage to keep beyond the reach of their powerful 
grasp, which is almost irresistible, are sure of gaining 
the victory; as the bears, in the rampant posture which 
they always assume in self-defence, unconsciously ex- 
pose their most vulnerable parts to the attack of the 
hunter. Snares are sometimes laid for them; but these 
are most frequently unsuccessful; that extreme caution, 
which is so strongly pourtrayed in their actions and 
demeanour, rendering them mistrustful of every thing. 
Nevertheless their gluttony will sometimes get the better 
of their prudence, and the bait of honey offers too 
tempting an allurement to be always resisted. At other 
times a whole tribe of Indians will assemble for the 
chase, and after having performed a variety of super- 
stitious observances, beat the entire country for their 
game, drive a great number of them into a spot selected 
