ALASKAN BEAR. 151

him and his habits; for men of science and
writers of books are not bear-hunters, as
a rule, and so real information about this
white robber-monk of the cold, blue north
is meager indeed. But here is what the
most eminent English authority says about
the nature and habits of this one bear that
I have not shaken hands with, or encoun-
tered in some sort of way on his native
heath:

“The great white bear of the Arctic re-
gions—the ‘Nennok’ of the Eskimo—is the
largest as well as one of the best known
of the whole family. It is a gigantic ani-
mal, often attaining a length of nearly nine
feet and is proportionally strong and fierce.
It is found over the whole of Greenland;
but its numbers seem to be on the decrease.
It is distinguished from other bears by its
narrow head, its flat forehead in a line with
its prolonged muzzle, its short ears and
long neck. It is of a light, creamy color,
rarely pure white, except when young,
hence the Scottish whalers call it the