426 
MAMMALIA. 
agreement ; but still these characteristics are not sufficient to 
make it a member of the Quadrumanous Order. It is plantigrade 
in its tread, while its hooked claws enabling it to climb with 
extreme activity, it passes nearly all its life upon trees ; its 
size is less than that of a cat. During the daytime it sleeps, 
curled up like a ball ; but is not wanting in good temper, grace, 
or intelligence. 
This small animal is found in Guiana, Brazil, and Peru. 
The Bear Family. — The preceding family have prepared our 
transition from the actual Carnivora, digitigrade in their tread, 
and living exclusively on flesh, to the Bear Family, that is to say, 
to plantigrade animals, omnivorous in the highest degree. In 
this family the flesh-teeth are rudimentary, and the tubercular 
teeth are strongly developed. There are three pairs of the latter 
in each jaw, whilst of the former there is but one pair in the 
upper jaw, and none in the lower. If we recall to mind what was 
stated as to the dental system of the Carnivora, before we com- 
menced the study of these families, we should conclude, from the 
principles there laid down, that Bears prefer vegetable substances 
to any other kind of food, and that necessity alone compels them 
to devour flesh. And this is the fact, just what we might 
expect from their organisation. We must, therefore, modify 
any previously formed idea of the ferocity which is usually 
attributed to these animals. True it is, that when they are 
attacked they will defend themselves vigorously ; but it is 
radically wrong to apply the name of cruelty to self-preservation. 
The Bear is a large Mammal of a heavy lumpish shape, with a 
thick coat of fur, and almost devoid of tail. Its toes, five in 
number on each limb, are armed with powerful claws, which are 
not retractile. The sole of the foot is of an excessive width, 
and its whole surface touches the ground in walking. The head 
is wide behind, but terminates in a rather sharp muzzle. The 
eyes are small, brilliant, and mild ; the ears short and hairy. The 
brain is voluminous and grooved with numerous circumvolutions, I 
which denote a great amount of intelligence. 
In spite of their apparent heaviness, and the usual slowness of 
their motions, the Bear is more agile than one would fancy. It 
can, without difficulty, overtake a man in running ; and, generally 
