f the Dehra Doon.

After resting here for some days, they proceeded to ascend the
mountains, the lower and middle zone of which they found covered with
forests of magnificent oaks, of several distinct species.

In these oak-forests, greatly to the surprise of Alexis, they heard of
the existence of a large black bear, altogether different from the
_ursus thibetanus_, and equally so from the _ursus isabellinus_--a
distinct species, in fact, which, though well-known to Anglo-Indian
hunters, appears to have escaped the attention of naturalists.

They ascertained, moreover, that he was far from being a scarce animal,
or an insignificant member of the Bruin family; in point of size,
formidable strength, and ferocity of disposition, being only inferior to
_ursus ferox_ and _maritimus_, and in all these qualities quite a match
for the _ursus arctos_. Of his fierce nature, and the capability to do
mischief, our travellers had evidence in almost every village through
which they passed. Numerous instances were brought before their notice
of men who had been scratched and torn by these black bears, and some
most fearfully mutilated. They saw men with their whole skin stripped
from their skulls and faces; their features presenting a most hideous
aspect.

This singular habit of inflicting punishment on their human enemy
appears to be common to the whole bear tribe--I mean, the habit of
scalping their victims, and endeavouring to disfigure the face. Not
only do both the black and brown bears of the Himalayas follow this
habit, but also the _ursus arctos_, the grizzly, and the white. They
always aim at the head, but more especially the face; and with a single
"rake" of their spread claws, usually strip off both skin and flesh.

Having accomplished this, a bear will often desist from further
ill-treatment of his victims; and if the latter will but lie still and
feign dead, the monster will give up mauling him, and shamble off from
the ground, apparently satisfied with having taken the scalp.

This savage habit on the part of the bears our young hunters had long
since noted; and that the black bear of the Himalayas followed the
fashion of his kindred, they had now ample evidence.

In his other habits--which they learnt from the shikkaries, or village
hunters--this bear strongly resembles the _ursus arctos_ of Northern
Europe. On ordinary occasions his food consists of fruits, roots, and
insects of _every_ kind he can catch--