ORDER CARNASSIER. 231 



specimens were similar, and both wanted the usual num- 

 ber of the small cheek-teeth, which immediately follow the 

 canine teeth, in the common species ; this last, however, 

 canno be insisted on as a distinctive character, inasmuch 

 as these teeth are so liable to fall in all the ursine genus. 



The second of these seems to be the black variety men- 

 tioned by Lewis and Clarke. Difference of colour alone, 

 more especially in the animals of very northen climates, is 

 no sufficient criterion of the distinction of species. Until 

 more decided and anatomical characters are pointed out, 

 we think that the safest conclusion is, that there is but one 

 species of this ferocious Bear, which may branch into two 

 principal varieties, and each again subject to slight varia- 

 tions of colour. Major Smith has, indeed, very happily 

 applied the epithet candescens to all of them ; for, let the 

 main colour be what it may, there is always observed a ten- 

 dency to whiteness in greater or less degrees. From the 

 ferocious character of this animal, it has also received the 

 epithet of Ursus Ferox. 



" On one occasion, Captain Lewis, who was on shore with 

 a hunter, met two White Bears. He says, " of the strength 

 and ferocity of this animal, the Indians had given us dread- 

 ful accounts : they never attack him but in parties of six 

 or eight persons, and, even then, are often defeated, with 

 the loss of one or more of their number. 



" Having no weapons but bows and arrows, and the bad 

 guns with which the traders supply them, they are obliged 

 to approach very near to the Bear ; and as no wound, 

 except through the head or heart, is mortal, they frequently 

 fall a sacrifice if they miss their aim. He rather attacks 

 than avoids a man ; and such is the terror which he has 

 inspired, that the Indians, who go in quest of him, paint 

 themselves, and perform all the superstitious rites custo- 

 mary when they make war upon a neighbouring nation. 

 Hitherto, those we had seen, did not appear desirous of 



