68 The Carnivora. 
alter our notions of physiology very materially, for both they 
and the Eskimo entertain the opinion that the hibernating 
bears have no evacuations—stopping up all the natural outlets 
with grass, moss, or earth; and the Chinese assert that they 
lick their paws as a substitute for food, “and thence the good- 
ness in the paws,” which, however, is not a very obvious con- 
sequence. 
The Eskimo account of the hibernation of the female Arctic 
bear is probably substantially correct. At the beginning of 
winter, the female, already with young, and in excellent con- 
dition, either scoops out a hole in the snow drift, or lies down 
and allows herself to become buried by falling snow. In course 
of time an accumulation many feet deep takes place, and the 
inmate of this natural hut is to a great extent protected from 
the intense cold. Her breath and the warmth of her body thaw 
a space around her, and a communication is also thus kept up 
with the external air by a small aperture overhead. In this 
singular lair the young are born, after an unknown period of 
gestation, and subsist on their mother entirely until they come 
forth in the spring as cubs of considerable growth. From three 
to four months has been given as the probable term of gestation. 
In answer to my inquiries, Dr. John Rae, F.R.S., whose journeys 
on foot and by sledge along the Arctic coasts and among the 
islands exceeded 6000 miles, ind brought him more into contact 
with the Eskimo than any other traveller, informs me that he 
has been unable to ascertain the duration of the period. 
There is something so remarkable in these circumstances of 
reproduction that we cannot but wonder how they were brought 
about. It would seem to be more advantageous to both mother 
and young that the family should come into the world when the 
spring is well advanced, and food both plentiful and accessible. 
than that they should subsist on her for possibly two months, 
and reduce her to a living skeleton at a time when she cannot 
procure food. 
Geology may perhaps throw some light on the subject. The 
latest British Arctic Expedition brought home a valuable 
