"B'^BS AND POSSUMS" 377 



seas, but the beast of oar picture is the common Ameri- 

 can Bear, called Brown and sometimes Black Bear, who 

 is still found in almost every state in the Union and in 

 a few places in Canada also, in spite of the fact that 

 he has been diligently hunted from the moment House 

 People set foot on these shores." 



"Are there any very near here now?" asked Dodo, 

 anxiously. 



" Not in this state, but in others near by ; in Massa- 

 chusetts, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 

 Virginia, and all down through the mountains of 

 Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana where 

 Mammy was born, though she moved up to Kentucky 

 later on." 



" Are they as strong and savage as Grizzlies ? " asked 

 Rap. 



" They are as strong for their size, but not as savage 

 and will never attack man unless cornered, or in defence 

 of their young." 



" What made you choose a little and a big animal for 

 a story. Rap ? " asked Olive, " and two that aren't alike 

 in any way ? " 



" I'm not so sure about that," said Mr. Blake ; " for 

 though they live far apart on the Mammal tree, there 

 are four ways in which they do resemble each other. I 

 will give you a riddle, and you must answer it at the end 

 of the evening. Why is a Possum like a Bear? 



" Meanwhile, Dodo, run and ask Mammy if she will 

 tell us a story, and while she is cooking supper I will 

 tell you a few things about the Black Bear, as we see 

 him in the North, that Mammy may not know." 



" Yes, she will come ! " said Dodo, flying back ; " she 



