that the period of gestation is entirely unknown, even to the most observant and experienced mountain men. No one has ever killed a female carrying young, at any time of the year, though they are often discovered with their cubs evidently but a few weeks old. Where they hide themselves during this period, or how long it lasts, no hunter has ever been able to observe; though there are men who have spent half their lives in the mountains, and killed in desperate encounter many a grizzly, and at all times of the year, even when hibernating.
The grizzly seems to be "a man of many minds," with regard to attack. Usually, unless in charge of cubs, it quietly avoids a meeting with the hunter; and at times, even seems timid and easily alarmed. But because one grizzly has given you room, you must not depend upon the next one doing the same. It is quite as likely that he will challenge 3^ou as you pass; and unless well prepared to take, up the glove, you had better "take up" the first tree you come to. It is not a pleasant sight to see one of these monsters on his hind-quarters, with his fore-paws ready for action; and when it comes to running, he can run as fast as you can.
The brown, or cinnamon bear, is also a savage creature, with many of the traits of the grizzly, but inferior in size. They inhabit the same regions with the latter, and also are found in the thick forests of Northern Oregon and Washington.
The black bear is common to every part of these countries, living in the mountains in summer, and visiting the low hills and small valleys, or the banks of rivers, in autumn. When the acorn crop is good in the foot-hills, bears haunt the groves which furnish their favorite food. If they can find a stray porker
