ORDER CARNASSIER. 27 



a silvery reflection. The relative height of 

 their limbs varies equally and without any con- 

 stant analogy to the age or sex of the indivi- 

 dual. The young bears are distinguished by 

 a whitish collar. This animal inhabits the high 

 mountains and large forests of Europe, and of a ,. 

 considerable part of Asia. The time of copula- 

 tion is in June, and the birth takes place in 

 January, Sometimes these bears lodge very 

 high in trees. Their flesh, when young, is 

 good for eating ; but the paws at all ages are 

 esteemed excellent. 

 Some think that it is possible to distinguish a 

 black Bear of Europe. Those which had been exhi- 

 bited as such, had a flat forehead, and the fur woolly 

 and blackish, Also there has been mentioned a 

 bear of the Indies, with blackish fur and a white spot 

 on the breast, $*c. 



A species which we can with more certainty pro- 

 nounce to be different, is, 



The Black Bear of America, (Ursus Americanus, Lin.) Cuv. 

 Menag. du Mus., in 8vo. II. p. 143. 



Flat forehead, fur black and glossy, and fawn- 

 coloured muzzle. We have always found in 

 this species the small teeth behind the canine 

 more numerous than in the bear of Europe. It 

 has sometimes a fawn-coloured spot above 

 each eye, and one of white or fawn-colour on 

 the throat or chest. Individuals have been seen 

 entirely fawn-coloured. It lives usually on wild 



