ing little used either for muffs or hammercloths, that the best, I believe, sell for less than forty shillings.'

"*

As both the black and grizzly bears vary greatly in the colour of their coats, according to age and season, the supposed brown bear of America is alleged by some to have arisen from one or other of these variations. From inquiries made by Dr Richardson throughout an extent of ten degrees of latitude, from Lake Superior to Great Slave Lake, he could not ascertain that the natives of these districts were acquainted with more than two species of land bear, viz. the one above described, and the grizzly species. He found, however, that the barren lands which lie to the north and east of Great Slave Lake, and stretch thence to the Polar Sea, are frequented by a bear which differs from those species, and presents a nearer affinity to the brown bear of the Scandinavian peninsula. Its general colour is dusky (sometimes yellowish) brown, and the shoulders and flanks are frequently covered during the summer season with long pale-tipped hairs. This is no doubt the grizzly bear of Hearne, though quite distinct from the kind now more familiarly known under that appellation. The Indians greatly dread the Barren Ground bear, and avoid burning bones, lest the smell should attract so unwelcome a visiter. It is narrated, that as Keskarrah, an old Indian, was one day seated at the door of his tent near Fort Enterprise, a large bear suddenly made its appearance on the opposite bank of a small stream, and remained stationary for some time, curiously eyeing the old gentleman, and apparently deliberating whether to eat him up at that moment or wait till supper-time. Keskarrah, thinking himself in great jeopardy, and having no one to assist him but a wife as old as himself, immediately gave utterance to the following oration:-"Oh, bear! I never did you any harm; I have always had the highest respect for you and your relations, and never killed any of them except through necessity: go away, good bear, and let me alone, and I promise not to molest you." Bruin instantly took his departure; and the orator, never doubting that he owed his safety to his eloquence, on his arrival at the fort frequently favoured the company with his speech at full length. In the stomach of one of these animals which

Fauna Boreali-Americana, vol. i. p. 20.

Dr Richardson dissected, he found the remains of a seal, a marmot, a large quantity of the long sweet roots of some Astragali and Hedysara, with some wild berries and a little grass.

The third American species of this genus which we require to notice is the true grizzly bear, or Ursus ferox. He does not present a very amiable aspect.

This is the most formidable animal of the North American continent. When full grown it equals the size of the larger Polar bears, and is not only more active, but of a fiercer and more vindictive disposition. Its strength is so great that it will drag the carcass of a buffalo weighing a thousand pounds. The following story of its prowess is well authenticated:-A party of voyagers had been occupied all day in tracking a canoe up the Saskatchawan, and had seated themselves around a fire during the evening twilight. They were engaged in the agreeable task of preparing their supper, when a huge grizzly bear sprung over the canoe which they had tilted behind them, and seizing one of the party by the shoulder, carried him off. The remainder fled in terror, with the sole exception of a metif, named Bourasso, who, grasping his gun, followed the bear as it was deliberately retreating with the man in its mouth. He called out to his unfor tunate comrade that he was afraid of hitting him if he fired at the bear; but the latter entreated him to fire instantly, because the animal was squeezing him to death. On this he took a steady aim, and lodged his ball in the body of the brute, which immediately dropped its original prey, that it might revenge itself upon Bourasso. He, however, escaped, though with difficulty, and the monster soon after retreated into a thicket, where it was supposed to have died. But fear prevailed over every other feeling, and no one thought it necessary too curiously to inquire. The rescued man was found to have had his arm fractur ed, and to have been otherwise severely bitten; however, he afterwards recovered. We are informed by Dr Richardson, that a man is now living in the vicinity of Edmonton House who was attacked by a grizzly bear, which suddenly sprung out of a thicket and scalped him by a single scratch of its tremendous claws, laying bare the skull, and pulling down the skin of the forehead quite over the eyes. Assistance being at hand, the bear was driven off without effecting farther injury; but the indi

vidual attacked was left in a most unfortunate and painful predicament, for the scalp not being properly replaced in time, he lost his sight (although his eyes remained uninjured), owing to the fixing and hardening of that skinny veil.

Mr Drummond, whose botanical trip to the Rocky Mountains we have already narrated, frequently met with these disagreeable companions. When he happened unintentionally to come suddenly upon them, they would rear themselves upright on their hind legs, and utter a loud, harsh, and rapid breathing. From what is known of the habits of these animals, it is certain that, had he lost his presence of mind and attempted to flee, he would have been pursued, overtaken, and torn to pieces. But the bold Forfar-man stood his ground to an inch, and beating a huge botanical box, made of tin, his discordant music so astounded the grizzly monsters, that, after eyeing the Scottish Orpheus for a few minutes, they generally wheeled to the right about and galloped away. He was, however, once attacked by a female who was attended by her cubs. On this occasion his gun unfortunately missed fire; but he kept her at bay with the butt-end till some gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company, with whom he was at that time travelling, came up to his assistance, and they succeeded in driving her off. On another occasion he observed a male caressing a female, and soon after the loving couple came towards him, but whether by accident or design he was uncertain. However, he thought there was no great harm in climbing a tree, and as the female drew near, he very ungallantly fired at and mortally wounded her. As usual in such cases, she uttered some loud screams, which threw the male into a most furious rage, and he reared himself up against the trunk of the tree on which Mr Drummond was perched, no doubt wishing himself, if not, like the Scotch baronet's bird, in two places at one time, at any rate in some other quarter of the world than that which he then occupied. However, it is fortunately so ordained that grizzly bears either won't or can't climb, and the female in the mean while having retired to a short distance, lay down, and the male proceeding to condole with her, Mr Drummond shot him too. All things considered, this was probably his most prudent course.

The geographical distribution of this species is exten