ANIMALS AND THE WEATHER 89 
to the polar bear which, in a natural state, 
dwells in a very cold climate where the malady 
commonly known as a “ cold,” including such 
ailments as influenza and pneumonia, cannot 
exist, the germs or microbes responsible for 
disseminating those illnesses being unable to 
thrive in such a low temperature. But if 
one of the animals be brought to warmer 
climes where the microbes can flourish, it is 
apt to suffer in consequence. Should, how¬ 
ever, its vitality be sufficiently strong to with¬ 
stand the onslaught of the germs at the 
outset, it gradually gains a more or less per¬ 
manent degree of immunity against then- 
attack, and is enabled to live amidst them 
without being exposed to greater risk than 
other creatures dwelling under similar con¬ 
ditions. 
In further allusion to this point, let us take 
the case of Sam and Barbara, the famous 
polar bears at the London Zoo. That they 
have attained sufficient power of resistance 
against the attacks of pneumonia and such 
ills to enable them to live in our fickle and, 
from their point of view, abnormal climate, 
is proved by their present flourishing con¬ 
dition, as well as by the great number of 
years they have dwelt in the Gardens. But 
that this immunity is of a personal nature, 
