VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
135 
each side, the first approximated to the canine 
teeth ; tongue smooth; snout prominent ; eyes small 
and furnished with a military membrane. Mr. 
Pennant, speaking of the polar bear says, ‘‘ those 
which are brought alive to England, are always in 
motion, restless, and furious, but in a state of nature 
they are dreadfully ferocious. They will attack 
and attempt to board armed vessels, far distant from 
the shore, and have been with great difficulty re- 
pelled. They seem to give a preference to human 
blood, and will greedily tear up the graves of the 
buried to devour the cadaverous contents.” I have 
collected the following interesting historical par- 
ticulars, concerning this ferocious animal. The polar 
bear is considered the natural lord of these regions ; 
he preys indiscriminately on quadrupeds, fowls, 
reptiles, and fishes ; these all behold him with dread 
and flee his presence, as his approach is the signal of 
immediate destruction. The seals either retire to 
their submarine dwellings, or conceal themselves in 
the crevices of the ice ; while he, stalking along 
with solemn majesty, faces ihe breeze, raises his 
head, and snuffs the passing scent, until he dis- 
covers the nearest route to his odorous banquet. 
Thomson thus beautifully describes him : 
Xhe shapeless bear, 
With dangling ice all horrid, stalks forlorn ; 
Slow-paced, and sourer, as the storms increase. 
He makes his bed beneath the inclement drift. 
And, with stern patience, scorning weak complaint, 
Hardens his heart against assailing want. 
