THE BEAR IN FOLK LORE 
facts to support it. ‘‘The bear’s temper, disposition, and 
power of offense seem to be underrated with respect to the 
species at large,” is the conclusion of Porter’s studies. 
‘‘Whether because its appearance is less impressive than that of animals 
which have gathered about them most of the world’s gossip, or for any 
other reason to which this inappreciation may be attributed, both in Eu- 
rope, Asia, and America, the Urside in general have undoubtedly less repu- 
tation than they seem to deserve, and less than the deeds they do and have 
done in all countries would apparently have brought with them as a matter 
of course. Poorly armed and primitive populations throughout the earth 
think differently, however, about them. In the folk lore of Europe and 
Asia this creature is conspicuous. The great hunters write of it in a re- 
spectful strain. No man who ever stood before an enraged bear thought 
lightly of its prowess. A host of well-known names are appended to state- 
ments concerning destructive arctoids in the Scandinavian mountains and 
the Pyrenees, in the Himalayas and Caucasus, the highlands of central 
India, and the forests and plains north and south of ‘the stony girdle of 
the world.’ 
“There is every reason why this beast should be formidable wherever it 
has not encountered modern weapons; and that it is so its whole literature 
attests. Richardson’s name (for the grizzly), Ursus ferox, translates his 
own experiences and those of native tribes. Colonel Pollok asserts that 
‘in Assam bears are far more destructive to human life than tigers.’” 
The hibernation of the bear is a matter of necessity, depend- 
ing upon climate, ability to get winter food, and the need of 
rest. In very cold and snowy countries the females piperna- 
“den up” early and may be snowed under for weeks. 2- 
They do not go into torpidity but simply lie quietly, subsisting 
on their accumulated fat, the slow assimilation of which sus- 
tains their own life, and enables them to nurse the babies, 
which are born during this winter retirement. It is thus the 
female ice bear passes the cold months, but the males are abroad 
during all the long, dark, polar night, even as far north as men 
have ever gone. In the case of other northern species the males 
also hibernate, each by itself, but are liable to come out from 
time to time. 
219 
