622 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
The Indian White Bear, the Syrian Bear, the Isabella Bear, or the Ritck 
(Ursus isabellinus , or syriacus) , is generally considered as forming but one species. 
At first a gray-brown in color it becomes entirely white upon reaching 
maturity. Its outer coat consists of curled hair, and on the neck looks like a 
mane. It is called also the ritck and the dubb. It is notable for the gentle¬ 
ness of its disposition, and because it is the bear mentioned in the Bible. 
The American Black Bear ( Ursus americanus) has offered such induce¬ 
ments through its abundant fur and excellent flesh, that the hunters have greatly 
diminished its numbers. In the days when slick hair was an essential feature 
of the toilet, bear’s grease was in great demand, but such requirements as still 
exist are easily met by improvements in the manufacture of hams and pork. 
Though naturally shy the black bear can be dangerous, so he affords ample 
temptation to the adventu¬ 
rous hunter, and not un- 
frequently comes off victor. 
It fights by striking with 
its front paws, but once 
that it has its enemy in 
its power, it uses its teeth. 
Like the stag, the bear 
fights for its wives, and 
many a fearful contest has 
lacked nothing but a Homer 
to recite its rapid changes 
and tragic close. If in 
good condition the black 
bear hibernates, otherwise 
it keeps up its foraging 
during the winter. It brings 
forth young but once a 
year when it usually has 
a promising family of four 
little gray cubs. 
A black bear on one 
occasion had for some time 
been making free with a 
farmer’s sheep. Keeping 
on the watch for the bear, 
the farmer and a visiting sportsman caught the marauder one day just as it 
was beginning operations and concluded to defer its death until they had taken 
a short lesson in natural history. The bear entered the pasture and finally 
succeeded in separating a lamb from the flock. It next proceeded to head it off 
whenever it endeavored to join its companions. Having finally satisfied the 
lamb that it was powerless, it proceeded quietly, but steadily, to drive it to the 
corner of the fence which abutted on the woods. Here a new difficulty seemed 
to present itself as the lamb could not pass the fence, so the bear picked it up 
tenderly, pitched it over the fence and then himself climbed over. It now 
proceeded to drive before it the submissive lamb, and after a while sat down 
and played with it. This performance was repeated several times until at last 
A BEAR WITH HIS SPOILS. 
