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VERTEBRATES 



she has brought forth her young. That the latter should not onlj 

 be able to subsist, but even to nurse their offspring, without re- 

 ceiving themselves any food for such a length of time, is highly 

 improbable. When with young, however, it is allowed that they 



The BrOTn Bear, 



are exceedingly fat, as also that, being covered with a very thicl 

 coat, sleeping the greatest part of their time, and giving themselves 

 no exercise or motion, they must necessarily lose very little by 

 perspiration. 



The Polar Bear is distinguished by his tremendous fero- 

 city. In size it far surpasses the brown bear, as it sometimes reaches 

 the length of twelve feet. Its head and neck are more lengthened 

 and the body is longer in proportion to its bulk. In the Pola'- 

 seas, it may literally be said to swarm. There, it is seen not onl" 

 on the land and fixed ice, but on floating ice several leagues oui 

 at sea. In the latter manner White Bears are sometimes conveyed 

 to Iceland, where they are so much dreaded by the inhabitants 

 that a crusade is immediately commenced against them. At sea, 

 the food of this animal is fish, seals, and the carcasses of whales ; 



