WILD ANIMALS. 93

on berries; or, if in the neighbourhood of settlers,= watch, and come on the cattle, sheep, or pigs in the evening, or during night. They are particularly fond of ant-hills, of all kinds of insects, and are dexterous in catching smelts, a species of small fish that swarm in the brooks. A great deal is related about the saga- city of bears, and there appear to be but few animals that possess a higher degree of instinct.

Their strength and dexterity are astonishing, and the largest and most spirited bull is soon vanquished and killed by a full—grown bear. They seldom attack a horse ; and, unless provoked, will rarely encounter a man. Itis said that a bear, on hearing the human voice, ' 1 will always run off, unless accompanied by its young. 3‘: They are frequently caught in strong wooden traps, contrived so, that a heavy log, pressed down by seve- ral others, falls across the animal’s back, and crushes it to death, Indians and others commonly lie in wait to shoot them near the remains of some large animal killed by a bear the preceding night, to which it generally returns, either to devour it, or carry it off. Spring guns are sometimes set, with a string from the trigger to a bait, which, as soon as a bear lays hold of it, fires the gun. If a bear kill or catch either a calf, sheep, or pig, it carries it at once to some distance. An ox or cow seems too heavy a burden, and a part is devoured where it is killed. The fur of the bear, if killed in season, is very valuable, but not now so fashionable as formerly.

The polar, or white bear, is common only on the sea-coast of the cold northern regions of Labrador,