WHITE BEAR. 
" The number of these animals," says 
Goldsmith, that are found about the north 
pole ; if we consider the scarcity, there, of 
all other terrestial creatures, is very amazing. 
They are not only seen at land ; but often on 
ice-floats, several leagues at sea. They are 
often transported in this manner to the very 
shores of Iceland ; where they no sooner 
land, but all the natives are in arms to receive 
them. It often happens," adds the dodtor, 
that when a Greenlander and his wife arc 
paddling out at sea, bv coming too near an 
ice-float, a White Bear unexpedledlv jumps 
into their boat ; and, if he does not overset 
it, sits calmly where he first came down, and 
like a passenger, suffers himself to be rowed 
along. It is probable the poor little Green- 
lander is not very fond of his new guest; 
however, he makes a virtue of necessitv, and 
hospitably rows him to shore." 
Buffbn, who very rehn^^antly admits the. 
claim of the White Bear to be considered as 
a dlflcrent species, asserts that, when these 
animals find any prev on land, thev do not 
give themselves the trouble to seek for fcod in 
tlic 
