The YELLOW BEAR.
Of the Bear, as well as of moſt other animals, there are ſeveral varieties, which in general are well known; the one here repreſented, we have reaſon to ſuppoſe, was never before drawn, or deſcribed; our reſearches having not yet met with any account of the Yellow Bear.
The Yellow Bear from Carolina (as the American Bears in general are) is rather ſmaller than the European Bears; it has alſo a more pleaſant and agreeable countenance; is perfectly tame and ſociable; the colour a lively bright orange, of a reddiſh caſt. The hair thick, long, and ſilky. Its other properties are the ſame as to the ſpecies in general. This drawing was made from the animal which is now in the Tower at London.
Of Bears in general we may obſerve, they are inhabitants of the colder parts of Europe, Aſia and America; and for the moſt part are not carnivorous, but feed on fruits, roots, berries, and vegetables; fiſh alſo form a conſiderable part of their food, in catching which they practiſe great dexterity. Of potatoes they are partially fond, and when once they diſcover them, it is with difficulty they are kept from having the greateſt ſhare. The paw of a Bear is as well calculated for rooting up the ground, as the ſnout of a hog. Are fond of peas, which they gather and beat out of the huſks on ſome hard place, and carry off the ſtraw; but tread down and deſtroy more than they conſume.
In winter they are hunted for the fleſh as well as the ſkins, which make a conſiderable article in the fur trade. Among 500 Bears killed one winter near James's River in Virginia, there occurred but two females; this being the ſeaſon for their breeding, nature dictates the moſt guarded ſecluſion, leſt the young ones ſhould be devoured by the males; of theſe two neither was with young.
Bears, notwithſtanding their clumſy appearance, are very nimble creatures, and will climb the higheſt trees with ſurpriſing agility, and, if wounded, will deſcend with great fury and reſentment to attack the aggreſſor, who, without armed aſſiſtance, has a bad chance for ſafety. In defending themſelves they ſtrike with the fore feet like a cat, and ſeldom or ever uſe their mouths, but ſeizing the aſſailant with their paws, and preſſing him againſt their breaſt, almoſt inſtantly ſqueeze him to death.
Bears, after feeding on autumn’s plenty, are very nice eating; the fat is particularly mild, and more may be eaten of it, without offence to the ſtomach, than of any other fat.
