CHAPTER XI 
THE BEAR {continued') 
The outline that I have already given of Ursus 
labiatus is sufficient to condemn its character ; 
there are more accidents to natives of India and 
Ceylon from the attacks of this species than from 
any other animal; at the same time it is not 
carnivorous, therefore no excuse can be brought 
forward in extenuation. I have already observed 
that this variety of the bear family does not 
hybernate; it has a peculiar knack of concealment, 
as it is seldom met during the daytime, although 
perhaps very numerous in a certain locality. In 
places abounding with rocky hills, deep ravines, and 
thick bush, it may be readily imagined that bears 
obtain the requisite shelter without difficulty ; 
but I have frequently visited their haunts, where 
no perceptible means of secreting themselves 
existed, nevertheless each night afforded fresh 
evidences of their industry in digging pits, when 
searching for white ants, within 150 yards of our 
camp. In these places we seldom found a bear, 
although driving the jungles daily with nearly two 
