BEAR. 
m 
Zoology has favoured us with the following ac- 
count : 
“ The chase of these animals is a matter of the 
first importance, and never undertaken without 
abundance of ceremony. A principal warrior first 
gives a general invitation to all the hunters. This 
is followed by a most serious fast of eight days, a 
total abstinence from all kinds of food ; notwith- 
standing which, they pass the day in continual 
song. This they do to invoke the spirits of the 
woods to direct them to the place where there are 
abundance of bears. They even cut their flesh in 
divers parts of their bodies, to render the spirits 
more propitious. They also address themselves to 
the manes of the beasts slain in preceding chases, 
as if it were to direct them in their dreams to plenty 
of game. One dreamer alone cannot determine the 
place of chase, numbers must concur ; but as they 
tell each other their dreams, they never fail to 
agree: whether that arises from complaisance, or 
by a real agreement in the dreams from their 
thoughts being perpetually turned on the same 
thing. 
“ The chief of the hunt now gives a great feast, 
at which no one dares to appear without first bath- 
ing. At this entertainment they eat with great 
moderation, contrary to their usual custom. The 
master of the feast alone touches nothing; but is 
employed in relating to the guests antient tales of 
the wonderful feats in former chases : and fresh 
invocations to the manes of the deceased bears con- 
