Euryspilus (1Ielaretos Auryspilua of lIondiehl), the Borman Bear, differs from the Malayan Bear principally in having a large orange coloured patch, deeply notched at its upper part, upon the chest In which were imatiredly no bears at all, for he states that they are of the size of a sheep, and of a white colour. Never did one of the naturalists of our expedition ECO there any true bears." Bruce says positively, that there is no bear in any part of Africa.
The inclination of Curler's mind, seems to have been against the existence of bears in Africa ; and yet the record of the annalist quoted by Pliny, and the numerous proaages concerning Lybian Bears in Ilerodotus, Virgil, Juvenal, Martial, and others, make a strong MAO for their existence.
It was reserved for Ehrenberg to solve these doubts in great measure. Writing on this subject, he says—" Moreover, we ourselves have seen in the mountains of Abyssinia, and therefore in Africa itself, an animal most like to a bear (nay, why had I not said—a bear?) and hunted it repeatedly, but in vain. It is called by the natives Karrai." lie then goes on to state, that he can give to those who are interested in the geographical distribution of the bear, true tidings of a blackish plantigrade wild beast most like unto a bear, in the mountains of Abyssinia, though neither Bnice nor Salt make mention of it ; and that, according to the description of the inhabi tants, the mountains of Arabia Felix are inhabited by a similar or the same blackish bear, said to be remarkable for its lengthened muzzle. lie adds, "Forskal moreover has brought tidings of an indigenous Arabian bear." Marine Bear.
maritimus, Linn. (Thalarctos maritime:, Cray), the Polar Bear, or Ice Bear.—Martens was one of the first who distinguished this size it is supposed to be rather less than the last. The individual which was exhibited in the Tower of London, and from which Dr. lierstield wrote his description, measured along the back from muzzle to tail 3 feet 9 inches. It was obtained in Borneo when very young, and during the voyage was the associate of a monkey and other animals. In confinement its manners greatly resembled those of the Midas-nu Bear. Its habits in a state of nature do not appear to be known, but are most probably similar to those of the Malayan species. Dr. llorsfield, speaking of its habits in captivity, nays " The Helaretos readily distinguishes the keeper, and evinces an attachment to him. On his approach it employs all its efforts to
obtain food, seconding them by emitting a coarse but not unpleasant whining sound. This it continues while it consumes its food, alter nately with a low grunting noise ; but if teased at this time, it suddenly raises its voice and emits at intervals harsh and grating sounds. Our animal is excessively voracious, and appears to be disposed to eat almost without cessation. When in a good humour, it often amuses the spectators in a different manner. Calmly seated in its apartment, it expands the jaws, and protrudes its long and. slender tongue as above described. It displays on many occasions not only much gentleness of disposition, but likewise a considerable degree of sagacity. It appears conscious of the kind treatment it receives from its keeper. On seeing him it often places itself in a variety of attitudes to court his attention and caresses, extending its nose and anterior feet, or suddenly turning round exposing the back, and waiting for several minutes in this attitude with the head placed on the ground. It delights in being patted and rubbed, and even allows strangers to do so ; but it violently resents abuse and ill treatment, and having been irritated, refuses to be courted while the offmding person remains in sight" The individual whose manners are here described fell a victim to its voracity. During the hot weather of the summer of 1S28 it over gorged itself one morning, and died within ten minutes after the meal. Its skin is preserved in the Museum of the Zoological Society.
African Bears.
The existence of bears in Africa has been more than doubted. Even Curler, who saw the weak points of the negative evidence on this subject, says, "the existence of bears in Africa is not so indiPrputable." Pliny (viii. 36) observes, that it was recorded in the Annals that Dornitims iEnobarbna, the curiae AtAile, in the consulship of M. Piso and M. Moossala (n.e. 62) exhibited a hundred Nnmidian Bears, and as many /Ethiopian hunters in the circus, and adds his wonder that the bears should have been called Numidian, as It was evident that no bears were produced in Africa. In the 57th chapter of the same book he makes the broad assertion in Africa there are neither boars, nor stags, nor goats, nor bears.