The old one could not have
weighed less than five hundred pounds. Her long, rough coat was of a
fawn, or cinnamon colour, while the cubs were of a uniform black. This,
however, is quite a common thing; and, what is still more singular, the
cubs of the black bear are often seen of a reddish or cinnamon colour,
while the mother herself is pure black. No doubt the cubs when
full-grown change to the colour of their own species; but even at all
ages bears of the same species are found varying in colour from
difference of climate or other circumstances.

On the continent of North America, say the naturalists, but three
species of bears are found, viz the "black," the "polar," and the
"grizzly." This is not certain, however, for the cinnamon bear, of
which we have been speaking, is probably a species distinct from the
black. If so, there are four kinds on that continent, and, perhaps, a
fifth; as the brown bear of the Hudson's Bay furriers, hitherto set down
as a variety of the black, is more likely the Russian or brown bear of
Europe. It may have reached the American continent by Kamschatka, where
it is a common species.

The polar bear is found only in the snowy regions that border the Arctic
Ocean; and never ranges above one hundred miles from the sea. The
"grizzly," for strength, courage, and ferocity, takes the first place
among the bear family--outranking even his white cousin of the north.
We shall have more to say of him by-and-bye. The _black_ bear is our
present subject; and as all that is known of the cinnamon variety goes
to show that its habits are similar to those of the black, what is here
said of the one may be considered applicable to both.

The black bear (_Ursus Americanus_) is said to resemble the brown bear
of Europe. I can see no resemblance. There is enough of difference,
certainly, to constitute them separate and distinct species. The former
has one molar tooth more than the latter; besides, the profile of the
black bear is not so much arched, or convex, as that of the brown. In
every respect, except habits, they are unlike each other. Their habits
are nearly similar.

The whole American continent is the range of the black bear. He can
live, and no doubt enjoy life, in all climates. He is equally at home
in the icy regions of Canada and the tropic swamps of Louisiana. He is
found from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific. He inhabits thick
forests, and ranges in rocky desert r