380 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
courage, and soon after we fell in with a river of pure waters 
coming down from them ; more delicious than the streams of 
olden fable; and our thankfulness and delight—who can 
measure it ? It was ecstasy—such feelings I believe have no 
words. In those beautiful mountains we surfeited ourselves 
on the rich meats and fruits there abounding; prudence was 
cast to the winds; we could eat, and therefore did so; but 
ere long we suffered bitterly for our imprudence. 
“We were not a little gratified, however, on arriving at the 
settlements on the sea-shore to learn that after we left the 
camp of these New Mexicans, our countrymen who remained 
with them, secretly in the night time loosed the Paiuche cap¬ 
tives and sent them to their desert homes.” 
Animals. —Ursus Americanus , The Black Bear, is an 
inhabitant of many parts of California, and is too well known 
to most readers to require a description. In its habits and 
appearance it differs little from its brethren of the north. 
Ursus Ardos v. Americanus Barren Ground Bear.— 
This is probably a variety of the first mentioned species, 
from which it differs in its lighter color, being a dusky 
brown. It resembles in appearance and habits, particu¬ 
larly in the nature of its food, which consists to a great 
degree of fish, the brown bear of Norway. Much confusion 
has been produced by confounding this with the next which 
we shall mention, and which is now well recognized as a dis¬ 
tinct species. 
Ursus fer ox, The Grisly Bear.—This is the largest, most 
formidable, and most remarkable wild animal of the country. 
Numerous and almost incredible are the stories related of its 
ferocity and strength. Specimens are to be met with meas¬ 
uring four feet in height, and weighing from 500 to 1000 
pounds. Unlike the black bear, this species never climbs 
trees. His habits are solitary, and though an ugly customer 
to meet, he seldom becomes the aggressor. Although flesh is 
his favorite food, yet when that is not attainable he will eat 
vermin, berries and roots, in digging for which, he frequently 
