y
required of the whereabouts of the Syrian bear; and their steps were now
directed towards the snowy summits of Libanus--better known to
Christians by its Scriptural name of Mount Lebanon.

In these mountains the Syrian bear (_ursus syriacus_) is found; and it
is only a few years since the animal was discovered there. Every
naturalist had doubted the existence of bears in any part of Syria--as
they now deny that there are any in Africa. Those who acknowledge it,
are inclined to regard the Syrian bear as a mere variety of the _ursus
arctos_; but this theory is altogether incorrect. In shape, colour, and
many of his habits, the Syrian bear differs essentially from his brown
congener; and his dwelling-place--instead of being in forest-covered
tracts--is more generally in open ground or among rocks. In fact, his
range upon the Syrian mountains is very similar to that of the "snow
bear" on the Himalayas--near the line of perpetual snow.

The colour of the _ursus syriacus_ is a light ash or fulvous brown,
often--with a hoary or silvery tinge--but the colour varies at times to
lighter and deeper shades. The hair lies close against the skin--in
this respect differing from most of the species, in which the fur stands
erect or perpendicular to the outlines of the body. This gives the
Syrian bear the appearance of being a thinner and smaller animal, than
many bears of upright fur that are no bigger than he.

By one characteristic mark he may be easily identified; and that is, by
his having an erect ridge of fur running from his neck along the spine
of his back, and looking not unlike the mane of a donkey. But, indeed,
the Syrian bear may be easily distinguished from any other member of
this family; and to regard him as a mere variety of the _ursus arctos_,
is only going back to the old system that considers all the bears as one
and the same species.

The Syrian bear does not inhabit the whole range of the mountains that
pass under the general name of Lebanon. Only on the loftier summits is
he found--particularly on that known as Mount Makmel. This summit is
covered with snow; and it is under the snow-line he usually makes his
haunt. Sometimes, however, he descends to a lower elevation; and in the
village gardens--just as does the snow bear in the Himalayas--he makes
sad havoc among fruits and vegetables. He will also kill sheep, goats,
and even larger animals, that come in his way; and when provoked will
attack the