BEAU. 
237 
when the young are first whelped they are yellow, 
with a white mark round the neck, and do not 
look much like bears : their eyes are closed during 
four weeks ; they are about eight inches long when 
first born, but increase to fourteen or fifteen at the 
end of three months ; at that age they appear al- 
most round, atid their snout is very sharp and 
pointed. They do not acquire much strength till 
they are full grown, before which time they have 
lost their white hair, which gradually decreases, and 
the yellow is changed into brown. 
The affection of the female for her young is so 
great that she will expose herself to every danger 
to preserve them, and is then more to be dreaded 
than the male. When the spring is sufficiently 
advanced for the old bear to leave her retreat, she 
comes forth attended by her cubs, and strictly exa- 
mines every spot in search of food. Notwithstand- 
ing her shapeless form she will ascend a tree with 
surprising agility, and devour the fruit in great 
quantities, gathering it with one paw, while she 
keeps herself firm on the branches with the other. 
These animals are so fond of honey that they will 
climb hollow decayed trees in search of it, and where 
a hive is to be found they never fail to enjoy its 
contents. 
A singular custom prevails among the savage 
Americans respecting the bear, who is held by 
them in great veneration. When one is killed, they 
paint his head with different colours, and place it 
on an elevated situation, where it receives the re- 
