14 
CARNIVORES. 
The Grizzly Bear (TJrsus horribilis). 
The gigantic grizzly bear of Western North America, whose range extends 
from Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to Mexico, is generally regarded as a 
species distinct from the brown bear, although there can be no question but that 
the two are very closely related. There are, however,some slight differences in the 
characters of the skull and cheek-teeth in the two forms, while the grizzly bear 
is generally larger in size, greyer in colour, and has shorter and less valuable fur 
than its European cousin. Some of the brown bears from Northern Asia are 
probably nearly or quite as large as an average-sized grizzly; while the difference 
in this respect between brown bears from different districts indicates that mere 
size cannot be a matter of much importance. All the American hunters recognise 
several varieties of greyish bears, respectively known as the “ silver-tip,” “ roach- 
back,” and the “ barren-ground ” bear, in addition to the typical grizzly; and Dr. 
Hart Merriam is disposed to regard the last as a distinct species, under the name 
of U. richardsoni. We prefer, however, to adopt the view that there are but two 
distinct species of North American bears. Occasionally, as in the case of the black 
bear, there may be cinnamon-coloured varieties of the grizzly; and it was at one 
time considered that such yellow-haired bears constituted a distinct species—the 
so-called cinnamon bear ( U. cinnamomus), but it is now known that such colora¬ 
tion is merely a phase common to each species. Dr. W. S. Rainsford states, indeed, 
that he has seen a female grizzly with three cubs, of which one was almost 
yellow, a second nearly black, and the third grey. The so-called barren-ground 
bear of Arctic America is stated to come very close to the European brown bear, 
and may indeed prove to be the connecting link between it and the typical grizzly. 
Whether, then, the grizzly bear be rightly regarded as a distinct species, or 
whether it be merely a well-marked race of the brown bear, we take it to include 
all the grey and brownish bears of North America. In addition to this wide range 
in colour, there are considerable differences in form. Thus some have a well- 
marked hump at the back of the head, extending to the shoulders, which is 
totally wanting in others; while the width of the sole of the hind-foot is subject 
to great individual variation. 
The accounts of the size and weight of the grizzly are very 
Dimensions. ° 0 •' J 
discrepant, and have probably been much exaggerated; most of the 
measurements having been taken from pegged-out skins, while the weights are 
mere estimates. It is said that the finest grizzlies hail from Alaska, but it is 
probable that those formerly inhabiting the Pacific flanks of the high Sierra 
Nevada were really the largest. These, however, have been nearly or completely 
exterminated by the shepherds, who poisoned them on account of the ravages 
they committed on their flocks. These Sierra grizzlies are reported to have been 
of the enormous weight of 1800 lbs.; and there seems no doubt that instances of 
1400 and 1200 have been reached. Dr. Rainsford states, however, that he 
estimates the weight of the largest grizzly with which he was acquainted at 
1000 lbs., and gives 900 lbs. as that of an unusually large male. The skin of this 
animal measured 9 feet 3 inches from the nose to the hind-foot, when pegged out 
without undue stretching; another skin measured in the same manner reached 
