52 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



island, and indulges in a winter, sleep, which is more or less prolonged, 

 according to the duration of the cold season. Thus, in Livonia it lies 

 buried under the snow for three or four months, whereas in milder 

 districts the winter sleep lasts only a few weeks. If a thaw sets in, the 

 bear leaves its resting-place for a short time in order to drink, and then 

 retires to rest again. The thick fur during the long sleep serves as a 

 protection against the cold; The masses of fat (from 100 to 200 pounds 

 in weight) which it has stored up in its body during the period when 

 food was superabundant are now used up in sustaining the function of 

 the internal organs (see bat). By the time the snows have melted it 

 wakes up quite emaciated. Plant life, however, in early spring is not 

 sufficiently plentiful to supply the necessary quantity of food ; hence at 

 this season more especially the bear is compelled to go in pursuit of 

 animal prey. 



G. Distribution. 



The bear is met with in various parts of Europe, and in Asia 

 north of the Himalayas. In our continent it is at present only 

 found in high mountain ranges (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians and 

 the Balkans), and the dense, swampy forests of Bussia. In the animal 

 lore of Germany it goes by the name of Bruin, and is regarded as the 

 king of the animal world. But it has now been extinct in Germany for 

 many years. On account of the depredations it commits among game 

 and cattle, it is everywhere keenly pursued. It is also much valued on 

 account of its thick, shaggy fur, which in colour closely matches the soil. 

 The flesh, though not particularly palatable, is eaten in various places. 

 But smoked bear's feet and bear hams are regarded as delicacies. 



2. The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus). 



This species excels the brown bear in size, strength and weight (in 

 length it reaches about 8 feet, and in weight 1,600 pounds). It inhabits 

 the coasts and islands of the Arctic Ocean. 



1. It is protected against the fierce winter cold of its inhospitable 

 home by — 



(a) A thick shaggy fur, between the hairs of which are large air- 

 spaces (air being a bad conductor of heat). 



(b) A thick layer of fat beneath the skin, fat also being a bad 

 conductor of heat (see under Seal). 



2. In the pursuit of its prey on shore it is aided by — 



(a) The colour of its fur, which cannot be distinguished from that of 

 the snow. (It creeps towards its prey and takes it by surprise.) 



(b) The hairy covering of the soles of the feet, in virtue of which it can 

 move with ease over even the most slippery ice. (In Germany and other 



