MAMMALIA, BS 
substances than the latter, and there are corresponding differences in the form of 
its cranium, which is shorter, with less convex zygomatic arches, and consequently a 
smaller space for lodging the crotaphite muscle. Its forehead is not flat like that of 
the Black Bear of Europe, but arched, although not so much so as the forehead of 
the Brown Bear. Its temporal ridges, however, are well marked, and unite to form 
a sagittal crest. Its nose is continued nearly on the same line with the forehead, 
and is rather arched, which produces the most striking peculiarity in the physio- 
enomy of this species. Its ears are high, oval, rounded at the tips, and far apart. 
The palms and soles of the feet are short in comparison with those of the Brown 
Bear. The fur on the body is long, straight, shining and black, and the mesial 
line of the nose is also black or very deep brown, but there is a large pale 
yellowish-brown patch on each side of the muzzle. The naked extremity of the 
nose is a little oblique, not being so directly truncated as that of the Brown Bear. 
The hair of the feet projects beyond the claws, which are black. 
The Cinnamon Bear of the Fur Traders is considered by the Indians to be an 
accidental variety of this species, and they are borne out in this opinion by the 
quality of the fur, which is equally fine with that of the Black Bear. The Yellow 
Bear of Carolina is also referred by Cuvier to this species, as is likewise the Ours 
Gulare of M. Geoffroy, which has a white throat. The white markings on the 
hroat of the animal, mentioned by the latter author, are perhaps analogous to 
the white collar which many of the European Brown Bears exhibit when young. 
Captain Cartwright remarks that the cubs of the Black Bear, on the Labrador 
coast, are often marked with white rings round the neck*, and Pennant notices 
the same thing of the bears of Hudson’s Bay. 
The Black Bear is smaller than the other American bears which we have to 
describe, the total length of an adult seldom exceeding five feet. Its favourite 
food appears to be berries of various kinds, but when these are not to be pro- 
cured, it preys upon roots, insects, fish, eggs, and such birds or quadrupeds as it 
can surprise. It does not eat animal food from choice; for when it has abundance 
of its favourite vegetable diet, it will pass the carcase of a deer without touching it. 
It is rather a timid animal, and will seldom face a man unless it is wounded, or has 
its retreat cut off, or is urged by affection to defend its young. In such cases 
its strength renders it a dangerous assailant. I have known the female confront 
her enemy boldly until she had seen her cubs attain the upper branches of a tree, 
when she made off, evidently considering them to be in safety, but in fact leaving 
* CaRTWRIGHT’s Journal of a Residence in Labrador. 
