WOOL- AND FUR-BEARING ANIMALS 255 



snow and ice; thus we find that the food supply on land being 

 restricted, the Bear makes the sea its chief hunting ground. It is 

 as much at home in the water as on land, a fact which may be 

 verified by visiting the new Polar Bear enclosure at the London 

 Zoo, for the splendid creature swims easily and with great powers 

 of endurance. Not only is the body ably protected "from the fatal 

 effects of cooling in the icy water by the large air-spaces between 

 the hairs of its fur," but also "by the thick and adipose layer under 

 the skin . . . and by the copious secretion of fat from the glands 

 of the skin by means of which the furry coat is kept constantly 

 lubricated, and thus never allowed to get wet." Then again, as 

 Dr. Schmeil states, swimming is "facilitated by the large air- 

 spaces between the hairs of the shaggy coat and the fat accumu- 

 lations within the body; for air as well as fat, being lighter 

 than water, helps to diminish the specific weight of the body." 



It has enormous strength, and this, together with the wide paws 

 and the cutaneous webs between the toes, assist it greatly and enable 

 it to swim both rapidly and with endurance. 



It can catch fish with much cleverness, and in stalking Seals, 

 Walruses and other marine creatures exhibits a strategy which shows 

 the born hunter, the animal diving noiselessly and swimming 

 cautiously until well within striking distance of its prey. 



As it can so well secure animal or vegetable food, both on the 

 land and in the sea, it is not necessary that this Bear should under- 

 take any migration movements, or enter into a Winter sleep, whilst 

 its thick coat and other provisions already alluded to ably protect 

 it throughout the rigours of the Arctic Winter. 



When hunted, it is a dangerous foe to encounter, and the very 

 fact that it is able to successfully attack such large prey as the 

 Walrus^which is comparable in bulk to that of a small Elephant — 

 is sufficient indication of its enormous strength and clever stalking. 

 It does not hug the hunter like its relatives next to be dealt with, 

 but bites and claws in no half-hearted manner whenever opportunity 

 presents itself. 



Although regarded as a solicitous and devoted mother when in a 

 wild condition, the experience of the Zoo authorities in London with 

 Barbara in 1908, and again in 1910, tells a different story, for in 

 1908 Barbara cared no more about her young one than to pick it up 

 soon after it was born and drop it heavily on the concrete floor ! 

 Again in 1910 two cubs were born, one of which was, I under 



