CHAPTER VII. 



CARXIVORA. 



THE BLACK BEAR. 

 SEVERAL .species of the bear tribe inhabit America : 

 the two most numerous of which are the black 

 bear, or musquaw, and the far-famed ferocious 

 grizzly bear of the Rocky Mountains. The black bear is 

 found generally among the forests and plains of the east, 

 though the grizzly also descends from his mountain fastnesses, 

 and makes his way through the low country to a considerable 

 distance from his usual abode. Although the black bear has 

 not obtained the same character for fierceness as his grizzly 

 relative, he often proves a formidable opponent when attacked 

 by human foes, and is also dreaded on account of his depre- 

 dations among their flocks and herds. He is, indeed, a mon- 

 strous and powerful animal, often reaching six feet in length 

 from the muzzle to the tail — the tail being only about two 

 inches long — while he stands from three to three and a half 

 feet in height at the shoulder. He is covered with a smooth 

 and glossy coat of thick hair, without any wool at the base. 



