THE BEARS. 47 



THE BEARS, 



IN THE GARDENS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



At the termination of the walk called the Upper Terrace, in the Zoological Gardens, is situate the 

 Bear Pit, which is inhabited by the animals of which our engraving is an exact representation. The 

 pit is about twenty feet. deep, with a dwarf wall and coping with iron rails. In the centre is a strong 

 mast, or pole, with projecting steps, by which the bears ascend with considerable agility when any 

 thing is presented to them. In this pit were formerly confined three European bears, two from the 

 Arctic Regions, and one Russian black bear, known by the familiar name of Toby, presented by the 

 Marquess of Hertford, who had previously kept him at Sudborne, where he was noted for his civilized 

 faculty of distinguishing strong ale from beer. 



The bear is an animal, for the most part, of large size and great muscular powers. It is not only a 

 savage but a solitary animal, taking refuge in the most unfrequented parts, and the most dangerous 

 precipices of uninhabited mountains. He chooses his den in the most gloomy recesses of the forest, in 

 some cavern that has been hollowed by time, or in the hollow of some old enormous tree, whither he 

 retires alone, and passes a part of the winter without provisions, or without ever stirring abroad. 



There are only three species of the bear, the white or polar bear, called also the sea-bear, or Ursus 

 •maritimus ; the brown bear, or Ursus arctos ; and the black or grizzly bear, or Ursus americanus # 

 As we shall have to enter into a detail of the latter species when we come to treat of the animal con- 

 fined in the menagery in the Tower, we shall confine ourselves at present more particularly to a 

 description of the species which form the subject of our engraving. 



The brown bear is to be found in almost every latitude of Europe, in China, Japan, Arabia, 

 Egypt, and as far as the Island of Java. Its generic character consists in its having six front teeth 

 in each jaw ; the two lateral ones of the lower jaw are longer than the rest, and lobed with smaller or 

 secondary teeth at their internal bases. There are five or six grinders on each side, and the canine 

 teeth are solitary. The tongue is smooth and the snout prominent. The eyes are furnished with a 

 nictitating or winking membrane. 



The common bears vary much in colour ; some are brown, others black, and others gray. The 

 brown kinds live chiefly on vegetables, and the black ones in a great measure on animal food, such as 

 lambs, kids, and even cattle. The black bears are so remarkably attached to each other, that the 

 hunters never dare to fire at a young one while the parent is on the spot, for if the cub happen to be 

 killed, she becomes so enraged that she will either avenge herself or die in the attempt. If, on the 

 other hand, the mother should be shot, the cubs will continue by her side long after she is dead, 

 exhibiting the most poignant affliction. 



The voice of the bear is a kind of growl, a harsh murmur, which, when enraged especially, is 

 increased by a clashing of the teeth. However mild and obedient he may appear before his master, 

 he ought still to be distrusted, and treated with circumspection. This animal is capable of some degree • 

 of instruction, and there are few who have not seen him stand on his hind legs, and dance in a rude 

 and awkward manner to tunes either sung, or played on an instrument. The method of learning these 

 animals to dance is attended with considerable pain: they are placed on hot iron plates, during which 

 time a person stands by beating a small drum. The heat of the plates is greater than the animal can 

 bear, and hence arises that constant motion with his feet which is erroneously styled dancing. The 

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