78 
Ursid.®. MASniALIA. Ursidje. 
tensive with the circuit of the globe. As the name 
indicates, the general colour of the fur is brown ; but 
it is subject to a great variation of tint, partly depend- 
ing upon age and partly also on locality — circum- 
stances which have given origin to several well-marked 
varieties. In the young state the te.xture of the hair 
is woolly ; but it becomes firm and even in the 
adult condition. The whitish bands seen on the neck 
and sides of the head in the Siberian variety of this 
bear, are, it would seem, merely the permanent indi- 
cations of the pale collar which is commonly more or 
less marked in young specimens of the European form. 
Like all the true ursine types of structure, the common 
brown bear possesses a stout bulky frame and power- 
ful thick limbs (tig. 22). The forehead is slightly con- 
vex, while the ears are short. Its habits are solitary. 
The flesh is very good eating, especially when the 
animal is young. The fur is valued everywhere, and 
more particularly by the Laplanders and the Kam- 
tchatkans, to whom, Mr. Ogillw remarks, “it gives the 
necessaries and even the comforts of life. The skin, 
we are told, forms their beds and their coverlets, 
bonnets for their heads, gloves for their hands, and 
collars for their dogs, while an oveivall made of it, 
and drawn over the soles of their shoes, prevents them 
from slipping on the ice. The flesh and fat are their 
dainties. Of the intestines they make masks or 
covers for their faces to protect them from the glare of 
the sun in the spring, and use them as a substitute for 
glass by extending them over their windows. Even 
Fig. 22. 
The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos). 
the shoulder-blades are said to be put in requisition 
for cutting grass.” As a source of sport, it was in 
early times the custom for English sovereigns and 
nobility to assemble together to witness the baiting of 
this unfortunate animal. We rejoice to know tliat 
those barbarous customs have long since passed away, 
and those who wish to indulge in a fairer and more 
legitimate amusement must betake themselves to tlie 
mountains and well-wooded districts of Europe and 
Asia, where they will find ample opportunities for de- 
veloping their skill and courage, and, at the same time, 
confer a positive boon upon the Inhabitants of many 
an outlying, lonesome, hill-begirt village. Although 
the behaviour of these animals is far less alarming 
than that of lions, tigers, and their congeners, yet 
their pursuit is by no means unattended with danger, 
and it requires great courage to attack them. Among 
the many interesting stories which have from time to 
time appeared respecting encounters with this animal, 
we are not acquainted with anj^ moTe daring or des- 
perate than those which have been recorded by Mr. 
Atkinson in his attractive work entitled “ Oriental and 
Western Siberia.” AVhile in the neighbourhood of 
the celebrated Tsaravo-Nicholiovsky gold mine, two 
men, one of them being a skilled hunter, succeeded in 
springing a bear. “ The hunter fired, and the ball 
struck, but not in a vital part. In an instant the 
wounded animal charged. The other man, who was 
less experienced, reserved his shot until within twenty 
paces. The rifle missed. At once the brute raised 
himself on his hind legs, and tearing the earth beneath 
him, rushed on his first assailant, striking him down 
with a blow that stripped his scalp, and turned it over 
his face. Then seizing his arm, he began to gnaw 
and crush it to the bone, gradually ascending to the 
shoulder. The man called to his companion to load 
and fire ; but the fellow, when he saw his friend so 
fearfully mangled, ran away and left him to his fate. 
Late in the evening he reached the gold mine and 
reported what had happened ; but it was too late to 
