ariety, which
is so rare; and I have also heard say that the hunters sometimes capture
a variety of a greyish colour, which they call the `silver bear.' I
think papa mentioned these facts."

"Just so," replied Alexis; "it has been the belief among Swedish
naturalists that there are two species, or at least permanent varieties,
of the brown bear in Northern Europe. They have even gone so far as to
give them separate specific names. One is the _ursus arctos major_,
while the other is _ursas arctos minor_. The former is the larger
animal--more fierce in its nature, and more carnivorous in its food.
The other, or smaller kind, is of a gentler disposition--or at all
events more timid--and instead of preying upon oxen and other domestic
animals, confines itself to eating grubs, ants, roots, berries, and
vegetable substances. In their colour there is no perceptible
difference between the two supposed varieties--more than may be often
found between two individuals notedly of the same kind; and it is only
in size and habits that a distinction has been observed. The latest and
most accurate writers upon this subject believe that the great and
little brown bears are not even varieties; and that the distinctive
characteristics are merely the effects of age, sex, or other accidental
circumstances. It is but natural to suppose that the younger bears
would not be so carnivorous as those of greater age. It is well-known
that preying upon other animals and feeding upon their flesh, is not a
natural instinct of the brown bear; it is a habit that has its origin,
first in the scarcity of other food, but which, once entered upon, soon
develops itself into a strong propensity--almost equalling that of the
_felidae_.

"As to the black bear being a distinct species, that is a question also
much debated among both hunters and naturalists. The hunters say that
the fur of the black European bear is never of that jetty blackness
which characterises the real black bears of American and Asiatic
countries, but only a very dark shade of brown; and they believe that it
is nothing more than the brown fur itself, grown darker in old age.
Certainly they have reason for this belief: since it is a well-known
fact that the brown bears do become darker as they grow older."

"Ha!" said Ivan, with a laugh, "that is just the reverse with us. Look
at Pouchskin there! Your hair was once black, wasn't it, old Pouchy?"

"Yes, Master Ivan, black as a c