COMMON BEAR. 451 
lon^ &c.* It inhabits woods and unfrequented 
places, and feeds chiefly on roots^ fruits, and 
other vegetable substances, but occasionally preys 
on animals. In the Alpine regions the Bear is 
brown ; in some other parts of Europe, black ; and 
in some parts of Norway has been seen of a grey- 
colour, and even perfectly white; this latter 
change of colour sometimes takes place, as is well 
known, in several other animals, and most fre- 
quently in such as are naturally black or of very 
dark colours. The brown, the black, the grey, 
and the white land Bears are, therefore, to be 
considered as of the same species : yet it is observed 
that the brown and the black variety differ some- 
what in their manner of life ; the black confining 
itself almost entirely to vegetable food; the 
brown, on the contrary, frequently attacking and 
preying upon other animals, and destroying lambs, 
kids, and even sometimes cattle, and sucking the 
blood in the manner of the Cat and Weesel 
tribes. Linnaeus adds, that the Bear has a way 
of blowing up his prey, and of hiding or burying 
a part of it. Bears are reported to be particu- 
larly fond of honey, in search of which they will 
climb trees, in order to get at the nests of wild 
bees ; for the Bear, notwithstanding his awkward 
form, is expert in climbing, and sometimes takes 
up his residence in the hollow of a very large 
* The brown Bear is also said to be found in some of the north- 
ern parts of America, where it destroys cattle. The American 
Black Bear is a different species, and is not carnivorous. 
