236 
CARNIVORA. 
Cuvier thinks, that it subsists, when left to its 
choice, on vegetable matter in preference to flesh ; 
but it seems more probable, that it takes the former, 
generally, from incapability of procuring the latter ; 
it is known frequently to devour the hog, which is, 
perhaps, less able to escape than most other quad- 
rupeds; and young fawns furnish it, in the season, 
a common repast. 
THE YELLOW BEAR. 
Ursus Luteolus, 
The American yellow bear has been spoken of as 
a variety of the black bear of that continent. In- 
dependently of the individual mentioned in Shaw’s 
Zoology, Major Smith has a drawing of one, taken 
in Louisiana ; and there is a fine specimen now' in 
the Tower, which is aptly called, from its colour, 
the cinnamon bear. This last is smaller ; the fore- 
head more convex; the nose more conical than 
in the black species; the ears, also, stand farther 
back ; the physiognomy may be said to be more fox- 
like, and the hair is not so long or thick. It is 
gentle in disposition, which, indeed, is expressed in 
the countenance of the animal very decidedly. We 
cannot, therefore, but conclude, that the hereditary 
distinctive differences of colour, organization, and 
moral character, are quite sufficient to constitute this 
a separate species. 
