We have now arrived at the closing group of the true Carnivora; a group which, although less sanguinary in its habits than almost any of those which we have hitherto had occasion to notice, and endowed by nature with a capacity of subsisting1 entirely2 on vegetable substances, comprehends nevertheless, among the closely allied3 species of which it is composed, not merely the largest, but even some of the most formidable, of the carnivorous Mammalia.
Both in outward shape and internal characters, these clumsy, sluggish4, and uncouth5 animals offer a perfect contrast to the light, active, and elegant forms of the[116] tribe with which we commenced our series. Instead of the compressed and lengthened6 body, with its soft, sleek7, and variegated8 covering, and the long and graceful9 tail by which it is terminated, we have a broad, awkward, and thickset figure, covered with a rough, shaggy, and unattractive fur, and ending in a scarcely visible appendage10, serving neither for ornament11 nor use. The difference in gait and motion is as remarkable12 as that of shape; for while the one glides13 gently along, as it were on tiptoe, or bounds onwards with the velocity14 of thought, the other appears to be oppressed by the weight of his ponderous15 and unwieldy bulk, and supporting himself on the full expansion of his dilated16 paws, scarcely moves without the semblance17 of an effort. The short and rounded jaws19 of the cats, with their close and regular series of powerful cutting and lacerating teeth, and their rough and rasplike tongue, are supplied by a broad and lengthened snout, teeth of a character totally different in almost every essential point, and a soft, smooth, and extensible tongue. The claws too, which in the cats are strongly curved, exceedingly sharp at their edges, tapering20 gradually to a fine point, and capable of being entirely retracted21 within their sheaths, are here indeed of great power, and sometimes even considerably22 arched, but rounded in their surfaces, more or less blunted at their extremities23, and constantly protruded24 to their full extent. In this manner might the contrast be pursued through almost every organ; but our limits warn us that we must at once proceed to the enumeration25 of the essential characters which combine the Bears into a well marked group.
These characters are derived26, first, from their completely[117] plantigrade walk, the whole sole being at all times closely applied27 to the surface on which they tread; secondly28, from their claws, of which they have five on each foot; thirdly, from the extreme shortness of their tail; and lastly, from the form and arrangement of their teeth. These consist of the usual number of incisors and canines29, the latter being in general very robust30, and of a series of molars, which, when complete, amount to six on each side in each jaw18; the posterior three having flat and expanded surfaces surmounted31 by broad and blunted tubercles, and lying closely in contact with each other. Between them and the canines exists a considerable space, which is or should be occupied by three smaller and obtusely32 pointed33 teeth; but this number is seldom found entire, one or more of them being generally absent, and the series being thus rendered incomplete.
The Black Bear of America is distinguished34 from his fellows, and more especially from the brown bear of Europe, which he approaches most nearly in size and form, by few very striking external differences, except the colour of his fur. His forehead has a slight elevation35; his muzzle36 is elongated37, and somewhat flattened38 above; and his hair, though long and straight, has less shagginess than that of most of the other species of the group. In colour it is of a uniform shining jet-black, except on the muzzle, where it is short and fawn-coloured, becoming almost gray on the lips and sides of the mouth. This, however, it should be observed, is the character only of the full-grown animal: the young are first of a bright ash colour, which gradually changes to a deep[118] brown, and finally fixes in the glossy39 black tint40 of mature age.
The habits and manners of the Black Bear resemble those of the brown almost as closely as his physical characters. In a state of nature he seeks the recesses41 of the forest, and passes his solitary42 life in wild and uncultivated deserts, far from the society of man, and avoiding even that of the animal creation. His usual food consists of the young shoots of vegetables, of their roots, which he digs up with his strong and arcuated claws, and of their fruits, which he obtains by means of the facility with which the same organs enable him to climb the loftiest trees. He possesses indeed the faculty43 of climbing in a most extraordinary degree, and frequently exercises it in the pursuit of honey, of which he is passionately44 fond. When all these resources fail him, he will attack the smaller quadrupeds, and sometimes even animals of considerable size; familiarity with danger diminishing his natural timidity, and the use of flesh begetting45 a taste for its continued enjoyment46. He is also said, like the Polar Bear, to have a peculiar47 fondness for fish, and is frequently met with on the borders of lakes and on the coast of the sea, to which he has resorted for the gratification of this appetite. Notwithstanding his apparent clumsiness, he swims with the greatest dexterity48, the excessive quantity of fat with which he is loaded serving to buoy49 him up in the water; in this way he frequently crosses the broadest rivers, or even very considerable arms of the sea.
The entire continent of North America, or perhaps it might be more correct to say, that immense portion of[119] its surface which still remains50 uncultivated and desolate51, furnishes an abode52 to this species of bear, which is consequently as widely dispersed53 as any of his tribe. As his fur is of some value in commerce, although not so much sought after at the present day as it was formerly54, his race has become an object of the cupidity55 of man, by whom they are frequently hunted for the sake of their skins. This chase is principally followed by the Indians, who are also attracted by the flavour of his flesh, of which, and especially of the fat, they partake with an avidity truly disgusting. Travellers, however, who have been reduced to the necessity of having recourse to this sort of food, speak of it as by no means despicable: the fat yields moreover a quantity of oil, which is often extremely serviceable. The Indians will sometimes attack these animals single-handed; and if they can manage to keep beyond the reach of their powerful grasp, which is almost irresistible56, are sure of gaining the victory; as the bears, in the rampant57 posture58 which they always assume in self-defence, unconsciously expose their most vulnerable parts to the attack of the hunter. Snares59 are sometimes laid for them; but these are most frequently unsuccessful; that extreme caution, which is so strongly portrayed60 in their actions and demeanour, rendering61 them mistrustful of every thing. Nevertheless their gluttony will sometimes get the better of their prudence62, and the bait of honey offers too tempting64 an allurement65 to be always resisted. At other times a whole tribe of Indians will assemble for the chase, and after having performed a variety of superstitious66 observances, beat the entire country for their game, drive a great number of them into a spot selected[120] for the purpose, and deal forth67 upon them wholesale68 destruction. They will also trace them to their retreats in the season of their lethargy, which occupies several of the winter months, and during which the bears are incapable69 of offering any effectual resistance.
In captivity70 the Black Bear is distinguished from the brown only by the less degree of docility71 and intelligence which he evinces: and the habits of the latter are so universally known that it would be useless to dwell upon them here. The specimen72 figured at the head of this article was presented to the Menagerie, in 1824, by Sir George Alderson, and is remarkably73 tame and playful. He has, until very lately, shared his den63 with the Hy?na, with whom he maintained a very good correspondence, except at meal-times, when they would frequently quarrel, in a very ludicrous manner, for a piece of beef, or whatever else might happen to furnish a bone of contention74 between them. The Hy?na, though by far the smallest of the two, was generally master; and the Bear would moan most piteously, and in a tone somewhat resembling the bleating75 of a sheep, while his companion quietly consumed the remainder of his dinner.
点击收听单词发音
1 subsisting | |
v.(靠很少的钱或食物)维持生活,生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 allied | |
adj.协约国的;同盟国的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 sluggish | |
adj.懒惰的,迟钝的,无精打采的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 uncouth | |
adj.无教养的,粗鲁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 lengthened | |
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 sleek | |
adj.光滑的,井然有序的;v.使光滑,梳拢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 variegated | |
adj.斑驳的,杂色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 appendage | |
n.附加物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 ornament | |
v.装饰,美化;n.装饰,装饰物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 glides | |
n.滑行( glide的名词复数 );滑音;音渡;过渡音v.滑动( glide的第三人称单数 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 velocity | |
n.速度,速率 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 ponderous | |
adj.沉重的,笨重的,(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 dilated | |
adj.加宽的,扩大的v.(使某物)扩大,膨胀,张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 semblance | |
n.外貌,外表 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 jaw | |
n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 jaws | |
n.口部;嘴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 tapering | |
adj.尖端细的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 retracted | |
v.撤回或撤消( retract的过去式和过去分词 );拒绝执行或遵守;缩回;拉回 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 extremities | |
n.端点( extremity的名词复数 );尽头;手和足;极窘迫的境地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 protruded | |
v.(使某物)伸出,(使某物)突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 enumeration | |
n.计数,列举;细目;详表;点查 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 derived | |
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 secondly | |
adv.第二,其次 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 canines | |
n.犬齿( canine的名词复数 );犬牙;犬科动物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 robust | |
adj.强壮的,强健的,粗野的,需要体力的,浓的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 surmounted | |
战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 ); 克服(困难); 居于…之上; 在…顶上 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 obtusely | |
adv.钝地,圆头地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 elevation | |
n.高度;海拔;高地;上升;提高 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 muzzle | |
n.鼻口部;口套;枪(炮)口;vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 elongated | |
v.延长,加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 flattened | |
[医](水)平扁的,弄平的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 glossy | |
adj.平滑的;有光泽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 tint | |
n.淡色,浅色;染发剂;vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 recesses | |
n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 );(工作或业务活动的)中止或暂停期间;学校的课间休息;某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 );将(墙)做成凹形,在(墙)上做壁龛;休息,休会,休庭 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 faculty | |
n.才能;学院,系;(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 passionately | |
ad.热烈地,激烈地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 begetting | |
v.为…之生父( beget的现在分词 );产生,引起 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 dexterity | |
n.(手的)灵巧,灵活 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 buoy | |
n.浮标;救生圈;v.支持,鼓励 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 desolate | |
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 abode | |
n.住处,住所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 dispersed | |
adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 cupidity | |
n.贪心,贪财 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 irresistible | |
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 rampant | |
adj.(植物)蔓生的;狂暴的,无约束的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 posture | |
n.姿势,姿态,心态,态度;v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 snares | |
n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 );圈套;诱人遭受失败(丢脸、损失等)的东西;诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉,诱陷,陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 portrayed | |
v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 );描述;描绘;描画 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 rendering | |
n.表现,描写 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 prudence | |
n.谨慎,精明,节俭 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 den | |
n.兽穴;秘密地方;安静的小房间,私室 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 tempting | |
a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 allurement | |
n.诱惑物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 wholesale | |
n.批发;adv.以批发方式;vt.批发,成批出售 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 incapable | |
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 captivity | |
n.囚禁;被俘;束缚 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 docility | |
n.容易教,易驾驶,驯服 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 specimen | |
n.样本,标本 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 remarkably | |
ad.不同寻常地,相当地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 contention | |
n.争论,争辩,论战;论点,主张 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 bleating | |
v.(羊,小牛)叫( bleat的现在分词 );哭诉;发出羊叫似的声音;轻声诉说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |