30 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
[10.] 4, Ursus Maritimus. (Lin.) Polar or Sea Bear. 
White Bear. ManrtTen’s Spitz. Trans., p. 107, t. O, fig.c. An. 1675. 
Ursus Maritimus. Lin. Syst. 
Ursus Albus. Brisson, Réegne Animal, p- 260, sp. 2. An. 1756. 
L’ours Blanc. Burron, vol. xv. p. 128. An. 1767. 
Ursus Marinus. Pauwas’s I2. vol. iii. p. 691, e¢ SP1IcEL. Zool. xiv. t.1. An. 1780. 
Polar Bear. PENNaNT’s Arctic Zoology, p. 53, and Introd. pp. Ixxxix and cxciii. An. 1784. 
Ursus Albus. Ross's Voy., App. p. xliv. with a plate of the head, p. 199. An, 1820. 
Ursus Maritimus. Parry’s First Voy., Supp. p. clxxxiii. FRranxiin’s First Journey, p. 648. 
Parnry’s Second Voy., App. p. 288. 
Bear, Lyown’s Private Journal, pp. 13 and 377. An. 1824, 
Wawpusk (pl. Wawpuskwuck). CrreE INDIANS. 
Nannook. EsQuimaux. Nennook, GREENLANDERS. 
Buffon had many doubts as to the Sea or Polar Bear being a distinct species 
from the Land Bear, of which there are white varieties in the northern countries. 
He acknowledges, however, that the distinctive characters which Marten, one of 
its earliest describers, has pointed out, would, if correct, establish it as a peculiar 
species. A further acquaintance with the animal has fully confirmed Marten’s 
observations. 
DESCRIPTION. 
The Polar Bear is distinguished from the other species by its narrow head and muzzle pro- 
longed on a straight line with the flattened forehead; its short ears; long neck; the greater 
length of its body in proportion to its height; the soles of the hind-feet equalling one-sixth of the 
length of its body ; and, lastly, the quality of its fur, which is very thick and long on the body, 
still more so on the limbs, and everywhere of a yellowish-white colour, The naked extremity 
of the snout, the tongue, margins of the eyelids, and claws, are black; the lips purplish- 
black ; the eyes dark brown, and the interior of the mouth pale violet. 
I have met with no account of any Polar Bear, killed of late years, which 
exceeded nine feet in length, or four feet and a half in height. It is possible that 
larger individuals may be occasionally found; but the greatness of the dimensions 
attributed to them by the older voyagers has, I doubt not, originated in the skin 
having been measured after being much stretched in the process of flaying. 
Marten, who seems to have been a correct observer, expressly states that . the 
Polar Bear is of the same size with the German Bears. 
The great power of the Polar Bear is portrayed in the segcn of a disastrous 
accident which befel the crew of Barentz’s vessel on his second voyage to Waigats 
Straits. ‘‘On the 6th of September, 1594, some sailors landed to search for a 
