454 YELLOW BEAR. 
continue in their winter retreats, either in dens 
beneath the snow under ground^ or in the hollows 
of old treesj for the space of five or six weeks with- 
out food. 
Var. f 
YELLOW BEAR. 
Among Mr. Catton's figures of quadrupeds a 
representation is given of a Yellow Bear, from the 
living animal then kept in the Tower. The fol- 
lowing is the description accompanying the plate 
referred to : 
''The Yellow Bear, from Carolina (as the Ame- 
rican Bears in general are), is rather smaller than 
the European Bears ; it has also a more pleasant 
and agreeable countenance, is perfectly tame and 
sociable; the colour a lively bright orange, of 
a reddish cast. The hair thick, long, and silky. 
Its other properties are the same as of the species 
in general." 
Mr. Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology, has com- 
piled, from good authorities, a very curious and 
pleasing account of the ceremonials used among 
the North American Indians at the time of their 
periodical hunting of the Bear. 
'* The chase of these animals (says he) is a mat- 
ter of the first importance, and never undertaken 
without abundance of ceremony. A principal 
warrior first gives a general invitation to all the 
hunters. This is followed by a most serious fast 
