THE BEAR. 
388 
make masks or covers for their faces to pro¬ 
tect them from the glare of the sun in 
spring, and use them as a substitute for glass 
by extending them over their windows. 
Even the shoulder-blades are said to be put 
in requisition for cutting grass. To the 
Esquimaux the white bear is no less useful. 
They consider his flesh the most nourishing 
of all possible diet; and Dr. Kane found 
this idea to be correct. Their dogs pursue 
him with the greatest perseverance and 
energy, and, if they flag in the course of a 
day’s journey, the cry of ‘Nannook! Nan- 
nook!’ (‘ Bear! Bear !’) is sufficient to rouse 
them to the top of their speed. 
“By the Laplanders the bear is called 
‘ the dog of Godand, according to one 
of their proverbs, it has the strength of ten 
men and the sense of twelve. They never— 
says a Northern writer—call it by its proper 
name, for fear of offending it, but always 
speak of it as ‘the old man in the fur 
cloak.’” 
“ What is its proper name ?” asked Annie. 
“I cannot pretend to pronounce it,” re¬ 
plied Miss Winston, smiling; “but I will 
spell it for you. It is Gwouyhya.” 
