ORDER CARNASSIER. 229 



were formerly common in Virginia, and they are still abun- 

 dant in North Western Louisiana, where they are called 

 White Bears, and are said to feed chiefly on honey, on 

 acorns of a large size, wild berries, 8$c. Both this and the 

 Black Bear are far from disliking animal food, especially 

 the flesh of the Hog, which they probably prefer on account 

 of the fat, and the facility with which they can overtake 

 the animal. The young Fawn is likewise hunted by these 

 Bears; but notwithstanding their acute smell, they cannot 

 follow its track, as the musky secretion in the hoof, which 

 occasions the scent, does not take place until the Fawn be- 

 comes adult. 



The Cinnamon Bear in the Tower appears to be of the 

 same race as this Yellow Bear. The Major, however, re- 

 marks, that it is a received opinion that the Black Bears 

 occasionally produce white or fawn-coloured cubs ; and 

 after all the Yellow Bear may be nothing more than an 

 albino variety, such as are constantly springing up in the 

 human and many other species. 



There is another of the American Bears, which, from all 

 accounts, we have every reason to consider as a distinct 

 species. It exceeds, in size, ferocity, and strength, both 

 the last-mentioned Bears, and seems, in truth, to be an un- 

 commonly fierce and cruel animal. This is the Grisly Bear, 

 (Ursus candescens, Smith.) Lewis and Clarke, in their tra- 

 vels, have given a number of interesting adventures, hair- 

 breadth escapes, and surprising anecdotes, relative to the 

 North American Bear ; but as they have not stated any 

 satisfactory anatomical particulars, and as there is much 

 uncertainty, and some confusion, in their work, it is 

 extremely difficult to determine as to the identity or dis- 

 tinctness of species in the several individuals which they 

 mention. Many species of this genus, according to them, 

 are to be found in the Arctic regions of America, endowed 

 with great strength, and corresponding ferocity. But it 



