THE BLACK BEAR. 



153 



respect to the bear, having, like the Esquimaux, a high opinion 

 of his intellectual powers, and believing that he is in some 

 way related to them, and possessed of an almost human spirit. 

 Still, they do not scruple to kill him ; but as soon as the 

 breath is out of his body, they cut off* his head, which they 

 p'lace ceremoniously within a mat decorated with a variety of 

 ornaments. They then blow tobacco-smoke into the nostrils, 

 and the chief hunter, praising his courage, and paying a 

 variety of compliments to his surviving relatives, expresses 

 regret at having been compelled to deprive him of life, and 

 his hope that his own conduct has been altogether satisfac- 

 tory to Mr. Mooin, and worthy of the renown they have both 

 attained. 



The musquaw hibernates, 

 like other bears of northern 

 regions, and is very particular 

 in selecting a dry cave for his 

 long winter's nap. At the 

 "fall," he is especially fat, hav- 

 ing lived for some time on the 

 beech-mast, blue-berries, and 

 other fruits which grow in 

 great profusion in the forest. 

 He then weighs 500 pounds, 

 and even GOO pounds. The 

 chief part of the fat lies along the back, and on either side, as 

 in the flitch of the hog. There is no doubt that it is by the 

 absorption of this fat throughout his winter fast of four months 

 that he is enabled to exist — at this time evaporation being at a 

 stand-still. Having at length selected a cavern, or the hollow 

 of a decayed tree, for his lair, he scrapes out all the dead leaves, 



IN WINTER QUARTERS. 



