Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-01-28
Concerning Bears.

The bear family (Urside) is found all
over the earths surface except in Africa
and Australia. Regarding the existence
of the bear in Africa, there has long been
difference of opinion Although allud-
ed to by several classical writers, the
opinion that it does not exist is held by
naturalists generally, and may reasona-
bly, be entertained until controverted by
the finding of specimen. The general
characteristics of the bear are the rough,
shaggy coat, the massiveness of the
hinder parts, the gait and the habit of
erecting the body upon the hind feet
when attacked. The feet are armed with
long, sharp claws, capable of intlcting
terrible wounds The bear is both car
nivorous and vegetarian. 1t is gregari-
Gus animal, extremely sociable and subs
ject to strong attachments. 1t is a good
swimmer and an excellent climber. 1t is
q harmless animal when undsturbed,
but formidable antagonist when at
tackled. In combat it will ward off the
heaviest blows, rears upon its hind feet
strikes powerfully with its paws, endeav-
ors to hug its adversary to death, and in
ticts fearful wounds with the claws of
its hind feet. Although ferocious when
aroused, bruin can be made the most
amusing and atlectionate of pets. Dur
ing the autumn he becomes fat, and
about the end of October ceases feeding
for the year. The stomach then contracts
into very small space, and the Dear
keeps his den in a dull, lethargic condi-
ton until April During this period
he gains new skin upon the
balls of his feet, and Abe female
brings forth her young. The newly
born cubs are scarcely larger than pup
pies. The grizzly bear (Ursus horribilts
or u. peror) is OF a mixed brownish and
steely- gray coat, great size, massive pro.
portions and ferocious aspect. He has
great broad head small, cruel brown
eye, pointed muzzle and powerful Jaws
which display a set of alarming teeth
His limbs indicate enormous strength,
and are each armed with five pointed
claws, from four to five inches long His
tail is hidden by his coat. One of his
most striking peculiarities is his sham
bling gait. His fore-limbs go in a canter,
his head sways from side to side, and the
rest of his body slides along upon the
soles of his hind feet. The grizzly is the
largest member of the bear family, full
grown male being from eight and half
to nine feet long, with equal girth. His
average weight is 800 pounds. His
haunts are the Rocky Mountains and the
plains eastward. His principal food is
flesh, but fruits and other vegetable sub
stances also form part of his diet. The
grizzly is the most ferocious and terrible
Of all American animals. He exercises
absolute terrorism over every living
creature that comes in his way. Even
the hungry wolf will flee at the sight of
his track and no animal will venture to
touch deer that has been killed and
left by him. His strength is such that
one blow from his paw has been known
to remove the entire scalp from mans
head. So tenacious of life is the grizzly
that, unless shot through the heart or
brain, his body may be riddled with bull
lets without fatal effect.
The black bear (Ursus Amertcanus) has
glossy, black coat, the hairs being much
shorter than those of the grizzly. The
muzzle is longer and narrower in proper
ton to the size of his head. His limbs
are less massive and proportionately
larger, the claws shorter and more
crooked His eyes are larger, and pre-
sent rather a mild and good-humored as
pect. When confined in cage he shows
through the bars and takes fragments OF
cake or other delicacics from the chill
dren. Vegetables constitute his princi-
pal food, he is a noted depredator on
maize and melon fields, and honey is his
delight. The black bear is common all
over the eastern districts Of the United
States from Maine to Florida, and over
large portion of the Western territory.
w. I.,.
Information in January or February.
The black bear is much hunted for its
skin, and the fat which constitutes the
esteemed bears grease of commerce. Its
flesh forms II good article Of food re-
sembling pork. The cinnamon bear is
variety of the black bear, differing in
color. 1t is found in California, and
generally west of the Rocky Mountains.
The Ma!ayan bear is one OF the smallest
Of the Urside family, being about four
feet six inches long Its color is deep
black, with yellowish muzzle, and
white spot on the breast. The neck is
shorter and thicker than in other species.
1t is easily tanned, and becomes extreme
ly docile. The specialized bear (Ursus
erratus), lnhabiting the Cordilleras
Of South America, displays all the
features of tie Malayan spe-
cies The brown bear tUrsus Arctas) is
the most widely distributed Of the
species 1t is found through Europe and
Northern Asia In size it is superior to
the black, but inferior to the polar bear.
The length is generally from about five
to five and half feet, and the weight
500 to 900 pounds The Scandnavians
say that this bear has the strength of
ten men and the sense of twelve" They
have also superstitious reverence for
it, and habitually avoid saying " the
bear" substituting such appellations as
the "old man with the fur cloak the