64 
No. 27.—THE POLAR BEAR PEN. 
This species (Ursus maritimus), is found throughout the arc¬ 
tic regions of Europe, Asia, and America, rarely ranging 
below the fifty-fifth degree of latitude; how far to the north 
they find their way is unknown. Sir Edward Parry saw them 
at latitude eighty-two. 
They measure sometimes nine feet in length, and are dan¬ 
gerous visitors when pressed, as they often are, by hunger, to 
invade the camps of sailors, ice bound in the northern seas. 
They live on fish, seals, and blubber, and being perfectly at 
home in the water, pursue their prey and capture it in its 
native element. The following account is given by an arctic 
explorer of the cunning displayed by this animal in procur¬ 
ing food:— 
“ The Bear, on seeing his intended prey, gets quietly into the water and 
swims until to leeward of him, whence by short dives he silently makes 
his approach, and so arranges his distance that at the last dive he comes 
to the spot where the seal is lying. If the poor animal attempts to escape 
by rolling into the water, he falls into the bear’s clutches ; if, on the con¬ 
trary, he lies still, his destroyer makes a powerful spring, kills him on the 
ice, and devours him at leisure.” 
In captivity these animals live mostly on bread, with an 
occasional meal of fish. 
On the right of the main walk leading up to the Lake, is 
the Southern Buffalo Pen, which was recently established for 
buffalo of a strain entirely distinct from those which have 
been for many years in the Garden. The main herd is de¬ 
scribed at page 74. 
No. 11.—THE LAKE. 
The Lake is occupied by a number of aquatic birds, 
belonging to the order Anseres. The following are usually 
to be seen :— 
The Mute Swan (Cygnus o/or), Europe. 
The Black Swan (C. atratus ), Australia. 
The Whistling Swan(C. columbianus ), North America. 
