426 MAMMALIA. 



agreement; but still these characteristics are not sufficient to 

 make it a member of the Quadrumanous Order. It is plantigrade 

 in its tread, while its hooked claws enabling it to climb with 

 extreme activity, it passes nearly all its life upon trees ; its 

 size is less than that of a cat. During the daytime it sleeps, 

 curled up like a ball ; but is not wanting in good temper, grace, 

 or intelligence. 



This small animal is found in Guiana, Brazil, and Peru. 



The Beae Family. — The preceding family have prepared our 

 transition from the actual Carnivora, digitigrade in their tread, 

 and living exclusively on flesh, to the Bear Family, that is to say, 

 to plantigrade animals, omnivorous in the highest degree. In 

 this family the flesh-teeth are rudimentary, and the tubercular 

 teeth are strongly developed. There are three pairs of the latter 

 in each jaw, whilst of the former there is but one pair in the 

 upper jaw, and none in the lower. If we recall to mind what was 

 stated as to the dental system of the Carnivora, before we com- 

 menced the studjr of these families, we should conclude, from the 

 principles there laid down, that Bears prefer vegetable substances 

 to any other kind of food, and that necessity alone compels them 

 to devour flesh. And this is the fact, just what we might 

 expect from their organisation. We must, therefore, modify 

 any previously formed idea of the ferocity which is usually 

 attributed to these animals. True it is, that when they are 

 attacked thej^ will defend themselves vigorously ; but it is 

 radically wrong to apply the name of cruelty to self-preservation. 



The Bear is a large Mammal of a heavy lumpish shape, with a 

 thick coat of fur, and almost devoid of tail. Its toes, five in 

 number on each limb, are armed with powerful claws, which are 

 not retractile. The sole of the foot is of an excessive width, 

 and its whole surface touches the ffromid in walkinff. The head 

 is wide behind, but terminates in a rather sharp muzzle. The 

 eyes are small, brilliant, and mild ; the ears short and liairy. The 

 brain is voluminous and grooved with numerous circumvolutions, 

 which denote a great amount of intelligence. 



In spite of their apparent heaviness, and the usual slowness of 

 their motions, the Bear is more agile than one would fancy. It 

 can, without difiicultjr, overtake a man in running ; and, generally 



