HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



265 



afcend and defcend with great eafe and agility. — The 

 hunters take them by fetting fire to their habitations, 

 The old one comes out firft, and is generally flain before 

 fhe reaches the ground ; the cubs follow her, and are 

 taken alive. 



The flefh of the young Bear is reckoned a great deli- 

 cacy ; and the paws of an old one are efteemed as a mod 

 exquifite morfel. The fat is white, and very fweet; and 

 the oil is faid to be of great ufe in foftening fwellings 

 proceeding from fprains. 



Great numbers are killed annually in America for the 

 fake of their fkins, which form a considerable article of 

 commerce. 



Bears were formerly common in Greece. The Ro- 

 mans brought them from Lybia to be exhibited in their 

 public fpe&acles. — They are likewife found in China, 

 Japan, and as far as the ifland of Java. 



The mountains of Great Tartary produce great num- 

 bers of Bears perfectly white, which do not differ in 

 form from thofe juft mentioned. — Some, from the con- 

 fines of Ruflia, are of a mixed colour, with black and 

 white hairs. 



The Bear was once an inhabitant of this ifland, and 

 was included in the ancient laws and regulations refpe£t- 

 ing beads of chafe. — Long after their extirpation, they 

 were imported for the cruel purpofe of baiting them, 

 which at that time was a favourite amufement of our an- 

 ceftors. We find it, in queen Elizabeth's days, among 

 the various entertainments prepared for her majefty on 

 her vifit at Kenilworth. 



