Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 169, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1913 — AN ARCTIC TERROR IS THE POUR REAR [ARTICLE]

AN ARCTIC TERROR IS THE POUR REAR

Why It Is Probable This Typo Will Outlast AO Other Wild Animals SHORT SEASON Ti HUNT HIM Though Awkward and Shambling In Galt, tha Bruin of tho Frozen North Is Vary Aetlye—lts Chief Food Consists of Beal and Fish. It is mors than probable that the polar bear will outlast all,other wild animals, for the reason that hunting Is the Arctic limited to a very short period in the Summer. Though awkward and shambling in its gait, quick to depart at the approach of man, the polar bear is one of the moat active of animals, and. If brought to hay It is a formidable beast of prey. Quiok enough In Its movements to catch n fish In ltd native element, strong enough to kill a walrus at a single stroke of its mighty paw, there is no living creature.within the Arctic etrcle that can escape It Its chief food consists of seals and fish of various kinds. In order to capture the timid and wary seala, it employs its sense of smell, which Is extraordinarily keen, for It will perceive, by the exercise of that alone, the little breathing holes which seals have made through the Ice, even though they are covered with k uniform coating of snow. Should a seal bob above the surface of the water within sight of this formidable animal, the fate of the unfortunate victim is soon settled, for it is sure to faU into the clutches of itp pursuer. The remarkable endurance of the polar hear while engaged in swimming In very great, for it has been seen swimming steadily across a strait of some ferty miles In width. The Winter home of the female la made in a sheltered cleft of a rock. In a very short time after the animal has taken up ker residence she is effectually concealed by the heavy saow-drlfte and her den Is entirely undlscarnlble to tho eye. Here the little cube are born and here the mother remains sometimes nearly all Winter, without food, sustaining her. little ones. The young are generally two In number, and when they make their first appearancr-eiitslde the snowbuilt nursery la which their first few months of existence have been passed they are ta excellent condition. Their mother, however, re-enters the lee world in a very poor condition of aspeet and of temper, as might be expected of so ravenous and hungry an animal. Watchful ovar the safety of her cubs, she Is very dangerous, and so jealous of their safety that she thinks every moving object Is an enemy. The male hear passes the Winter In the active exercise of his faculties. He viU often is his wanderings enter the huts of native fishermen and create great havoc by smashing everything In sight with his giant paws. At times h# is sxtrsmely malicious, seemingly void of fear, attacking men, women and children without any apparent reasoßi As in the case with nearly all hears, even when pierced with many wounds, he will fight in the most despsrate manner, employing both teeth and claws in the combat, and only yielding the struggle with life. Polar bears are thickly covered wltk a double fur, which, when immersed in water, is pressed tightly to the skin and effectually throws oft the moisture. To protect tho animal from the icy dold water, thick layer of fat Is placed immediately below the skin, and being an excellent non-conductor of heat, serves to retain the Internal heat through the severest cold. — Metropolitan Magaslne.