NATURALIST IN INDIA. 239 



abundant, but every year shows a marked diminution in their 

 numbers, so that, before long, we may expect to hear of the 

 almost complete extermination of the species in the Cashmere 

 ranges. The brown bear repairs during winter to caves in in- 

 accessible rocks, where, forming a bed of decayed plants 

 (usually ferns), it lies coiled up Tuitil spring ; when, as soon 

 as the snow melts and vegetation appears, it stalks. forth, lean, 

 and frequently so hungry and voracious, that it has been seen 

 to attack tame sheep, goats, and even to attempt to kiU ponies ; 

 but in point of choice it prefers vegetable to animal food. 

 Young killed one feeding on the carcase of a Cashmere deer, 

 which it had evidently surprised and killed when bringing 

 forth young, as a new-dropped calf lay close by. During 

 spring, and for some time after their first appearance, they 

 seldom roam far from their winter abodes, and continue nib- 

 bling the tender shoots of rhubarb and such like. At that 

 season they are fond of basking in the sun on beds of snow. 

 The roots of the wild strawberry and a small white carrot, 

 common in shady places, are much sought after by them. 

 The soil in many places is ploughed up by their paws, and, 

 like the wild boar, they dig also with their snouts. As 

 summer advances they become very fat, and by the end of 

 October, after feeding on wild apples, walnuts, and other 

 fruits, greatly increase in size. It is of course then that their 

 fat is of most value ; but although we preserved a great deal, 

 I never could remove the rancid smeU which sticks to the 

 melted fat, even after otto of roses had been added. The fat 

 on the back and on outer parts is preferred to that of the in- 

 terior of the body, having less of the offensive train-oil-like 

 smell. This bear is seldom seen on trees, and only frequents 

 the woods and jungles during the fruit season. The fur in 

 winter and spring is long, thick, and shaggy, but becomes 



