The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-09-26
THE GRIZZLY BEAR OF CALIFORNIA.
BY TIE REV. W. COTTON.


The grizzly bear is the most formidable and
lerocious animal in California; and yet, with oil
this serocity Of disposition, rarely attacks man
unless surprised or molested. The fellow never
lies in wait for his victim. II the hunterinvades
his retreat or disputes bis path he will fight hut
otherwise contents himself with the immunity
which he finds in the wilderness Of his home and
the savage grandeur Of his nature. i never
safe to attack him with one rifle: TOR It you fail
10 hit him in vital part, he is on you - the
twinkling Of an eye. Your only possibility OF
escape Is up tree too slender for his giant grasp;
and then there il something extremely awkard in
being on the top Of tree with suc!, savage mon
ster at its root. How long he will remain there
YOU cannot tell; it may be day, it may be a
week. Your antagonist is too shrewd to hand
you up your rife, OF let you come down TO get
It. You are his prisoner, more safely lodged
than in dungeon, and he will set you At iibe!tv
when il suits him. fIe sleeps not himself at bis
post; day and night his great flashing eyes are
fastened upon you. The Tyre OF Orpheus may
have Iulled 10 sleep the sentinel Of Hades, but its
magic tones have never charmed to slumber the
sentinel Of the California forest.
The full grown California bear measures from
eight 10 feet in length, and four or ive IN gift
His strength is tremendous-his embrace death.
Had the priest Of Apollo fallen into his iolds, he
would have perished without anv Of those pro-
walled round the world Nature has thrown
over him coat Of mail, soft indeed, baf impervi-
ous 10 the storm and the arrow OF the Indian. -
The fur, which 10 Of dark brown color, is nearly
span long, and when The animal is enraged each
particular hair stands on end. Ills food in The
summer Is chiefly berries, but will now and then
on some Of his feast DAYS, slaughter ballock.-
In winter he lives on acorns, which abound n
these forests. He is an excellent climber, ant
| will ascend large oak with the rapidity Of tai
up the shronds Of ship. In procuring his acorns
! when on the tree, he does not manifest his usua
cunning. Instead Of .hreshing them down like
the INDIAN he selects well-stock ed limb, throw.
himself upon its extremity, and there hang.
swinging and jerking till the limb gives way, and
down they come, branch, aeorRs and bear tOgefh.
er. On these acorns he becomes extremely fat
yielding ten or fifteen gallons Of oil which is
said to be sufficiently pungent and nutIitive rs
tonic to tuft statues marble head.
The she bear has one peculiarity that must pug
zle even the philosophical inquirer. As soon q.
she discovers herself with young, she ceases L
roam the forest, and modestl retires from thu
presence Of others, to some secluded grotto -
There she remains, while her male companion
with consideration that does honor 10 his sex
brings her food. She reappears at length with
her twin cubs, and wo to the iuckless wight who
should attempt to injnre or molest them. They
| are guarded by an affection and ferocity with
which il would be madness 10 trife. For then
she hunts the berries and dislodges the acorns.-
Her maternal care is beautiful trait in her savag,
nature, and
ssshines like good deed in . naughty world"