166 THE BLACK BEAR, 
attack on a man unless when suddenly rous^^ 
from sleep. 
The gentle disposition of the bears of 
tschatka has not, however, exempted him fi'Oi^^ 
the persecutions of man. Instigated by 
great utility of every part of the animal, 
Kamtschadale, armed with a spear or cl^^’ 
seeks him in his den, where the peaceful bG^*" 
gravely takes the faggots brought to him 
the hunter, and with them chokes up hims®^^ 
the entrance to his retreat. The mouth 
the cavern being thus closed, the hunter mak^^ 
a hole in the top, and in the greatest security 
spears his defenceless foe. 
Few animals, perhaps, excepting the she^P 
and the reindeer, are more serviceable to ' 
than the bear to the people of Kamtschatka- 
Of the skin they make bedding and clotliiHr 
The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy, ati*^ 
the fat supplies the place of oil. The inteS' 
tines, when duly prepared, serve for windo"^' 
