Cuapr. I.] BEARS. 23 
Oriental custom of the women resorting to the wells was 
altogether suspended, as it was a common occurrence 
to find one of these animals in the water, unable to 
climb up the yielding and slippery soil, down which its 
thirst had impelled it to slide during the night. 
Although the structure of the bear shows him to be 
naturally omnivorous, he rarely preys upon flesh in 
INDIAN BEAR, 
Ceylon, and his solitary habits whilst in search of honey 
and fruits render him timid and retiring. Hence he 
evinces alarm on the approach of man or other animals, 
and, unable to make a rapid retreat, his panic, rather 
than any vicious disposition, leads him to become an 
assailant in self-defence. But so furious are his assaults 
under such circumstances that the Singhalese have a 
terror of his attack greater than that created by any 
c4 
