BEARS. 
351 
are taught performing bears do not count for much as 
proof of high sagacity, as they for the most part consist 
in teaching the animals to assume unnatural positions, 
or display grotesque antics — performances which speak 
indeed for the general docility of the creatures, but 
scarcely for their high intelligence. Still even here it is 
worth while to remark that all species of bears would pro- 
bably not lend themselves to this kind of education, for 
the emotional temperament manifested by the different 
species is unquestionably diverse. Thus, making all 
allowances for exaggeration, it seems certain that the 
grizzly bear displays a courage and ferocity which are 
foreign to the disposition of the brown bear, and indeed 
to that of most other animals. The polar bear likewise 
displays much bravery under the influence of hunger or 
maternal feeling, although under other circumstances it 
usually deems discretion the better part of valour. The 
following incident displays considerable intelligence on 
the part of this animal. 
Scoresby, in his 6 Account of the Arctic Regions , 5 gives 
the instance to which I allude — 
The animal with two cubs was being pursued by a party of 
sailors over an ice-field. She urged her young to an increase 
of speed by running before them, turning round, and manifest- 
ing, by a peculiar action and voice, her anxiety for their pro- 
gress ; but finding that her pursuers were gaining upon them, 
she carried, or pushed, or pitched them alternately forward, 
until she effected their escape. In throwing them before her, 
the little creatures placed themselves across her path to receive 
the impulse ; and when projected some yards in advance, they 
ran onwards until she overtook them, when they alternately 
adjusted themselves for a second throw. 
As the polar bear is not exposed to any enemies except 
man, this method of escaping is not likely to be instinc- 
tive, but was probably an intelligent adaptation to the 
particular circumstances of the case. 
Mr. S. J. Hutchinson writes me as follows with regard 
to this same species : — 
One Sunday, at the ‘ Zoo/ some one threw a bun to the bears, 
but it fell in the water in that quadrant-shaped pond you will 
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