his distinctness from the
_ursus americanus_. He is not like the latter, either in colour, shape
of body, bulk, profile, physiognomy, length of feet or tail. In all
these respects he bears a greater resemblance to the _ursus arctos_, or
even to his nearer neighbour, the grizzly (_ursus ferox_). He differs
from both these, however, in other points--as will presently be seen.
Again, he is of a fiercer disposition than the black bear, and more
dangerous to the hunter--almost as much so as the grizzly, and quite as
much as the brown. Moreover, he dwells in a country in which the black
bear could not make his home. To the existence of the latter, the
forest is essential; and he is never found far out of it. It is not the
higher latitude that keeps him out of the Barren Grounds, but the
absence of timber. This is proved by the fact of his being found quits
as far northward as any part of the Barren Grounds, but where the
limestone formation favours the growth of trees; whereas, among the
primitive rocks to the north of Nelson river, the black bear does not
exist--the very region that appears most favourable to the existence of
the Barren Ground species--who cares not for trees, and cannot climb
them.

Still another material difference may be pointed out. The black bear,
in his normal state, is altogether frugivorous--a true vegetable feeder.
The other is carnivorous and piscivorous--at one season killing and
eating marmots and mice, at another frequenting the sea coast and
subsisting upon fish. In a word, the two bears are as unlike as may
be--they are distinct species.

To compare the Barren Ground bear with the _ursus arctos_. The former
is certainly much more like this species, than he is to the _ursus
americanus_; but again we _encounter_ notable points of difference; and
were it not for a certain resemblance in colour, it is possible the two
kinds would never have been brought into comparison. It is easy,
however, to prove them also distinct species--by simply observing that
their habits are altogether unlike. The _ursus arctos_ is a
_tree-climbing wood bear_: the Barren Ground species is not. The former
prefers a vegetable diet--the latter likes better fish, flesh, and
insects--though he will also fill his stomach with a farrago of
vegetable matters.

But to say nothing of the very different habits of the two animals,
there is a yellowish tinge over the fur of the American species, that is
not observed