4 
CARNIVORES. 
The Typical Bears. 
Genus Ursus. 
With the exception of the Indian sloth-bear and a peculiar species from 
Tibet, all the bears are now generally included in the genus JJrsus. This genus is 
characterised by having a total of 42 teeth (when all the small premolars are 
present), of which § are incisors, \ canines, £ premolars, and § molars on each side. 
In the adults, as already mentioned, several or all of the three anterior premolars 
may disappear from both jaws, although the one immediately behind the tusk 
may remain longer than the others. The molar teeth are characterised by their 
crowns being longer than they are broad; the last upper molar being a much 
elongated tooth, while in the lower jaw the last molar is shorter than the tooth 
which precedes it. As a rule, the soles of the feet are naked; and the claws are 
of moderate length and curvature. As in the other genera of the family, the ears 
are small, erect, and thickly haired; and the pupil of the eye is round. The 
geographical distribution of the genus is coextensive with that of the family. 
The Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus). 
Not only does the Polar bear differ from all other bears by its pure white coat, 
but it is also distinguished from the greater number of white Mammals in that this 
colour is retained at all seasons of the year, instead of being exchanged in summer 
for a darker tint. In addition to this distinctive white coloration, the Polar bear is 
further characterised by the relatively small size and extremely elongated form of 
its head, as well as by the molar teeth being relatively smaller and narrower than 
in the other members of the genus. Moreover, the soles of the feet have a certain 
amount of hair growing upon them, doubtless for the purpose of enabling the 
animal to have a better hold upon the ice. The neck is also longer than in other 
bears, while the ears are unusually small. It is one of the largest members of 
the group, not unfrequently attaining a length of close upon 9 feet, although 
exact measurements from recently killed wild examples are but few. 
The Polar bear is found throughout the Arctic regions of both hemispheres. 
It is now rare on the south-western coasts of Spitzbergen and Novaia Zemlia, 
where the ice almost completely disappears in summer. According to Baron 
Nordenskiold, it is more common on the northern parts of those islands, where there 
is perpetual ice. On the north coasts of America and Asia it is found everywhere, 
and becomes more and more numerous as we travel northwards. In Labrador, 
where it is now very rare, there is evidence that it was once comparatively common, 
and Dr. A. S. Packard is of opinion that its range originally extended even down 
into the State of Maine. The white bears seen by John Cabot in the year 1497 
are believed by Dr. Packard to have been observed in Newfoundland; while 
further evidence of their former existence is afforded by the observations of 
Corte Real in 1500 and Cartier in 1534. The bones found in the shell-mounds of 
Goose Island, Casco Bay, Maine, are considered to belong to the present species, 
and thereby indicate the probability of its range having extended thus far south. 
