THE BROWN BEAR. 
101 
other immediately anterior to the first molar, with a 
vacant space between them ; which space is, however, 
sometimes occupied by a third intervening tooth similar 
in character to those between which it is protruded. 
The crowns of all the molars are flattened, and sur- 
mounted by tubercles of the same description as those 
which exist upon the human grinders. They are con- 
sequently fitted almost solely for the detrition of vege- 
table substances, which form in fact the largest share 
of the food of these animals. So completely is the 
carnivorous character lost in their teeth, that it would 
be impossible, without the transition afforded by the 
Racoons and the Coatis, and carried on through the Dogs 
and the Civets, to recognise the lacerators of the Cats 
in the penultimate molars of the Bears. Their purpose 
is no longer the same, and their form is consequently 
changed for one more adapted to the habits of the 
g'roup. 
The thickset and clumsy figure of the Bears is pro- 
duced not only by their great muscularity, but also by 
their tendency to accumulate fat, and by the shagginess 
of their external covering, which in most of the species 
is long, rough, and woolly. Its effect is moreover 
heightened by the comparative shortness of their limbs, 
and the large portion of both extremities which is 
applied to the surface of the ground, their walk being 
completely plantigrade, and the soles of all the feet 
forming broad callous expansions. They have five toes 
on each foot terminated by strong curved unretractile 
claws. The form of their heads is for the most part 
nearly round, with a broad projecting muzzle, having 
its extremity perforated by the large fissured nostrils, 
which together with the lips are extremely moveable 
and capable of considerable protrusion. The tongue is 
perfectly smooth and very extensible. The ears are of 
