The
Bears are represented in Europe by at least three species, two
of which--namely, the great Grizzly Bear (_Ursus ferox_) and
the smaller Brown Bear (_Ursus arctos_)--are in existence at the
present day. The third species is the celebrated Cave-bear (_Ursus
speloeus_, fig. 268), which is now extinct. The Cave-bear exceeded
in its dimensions the largest of modern Bears; and its remains,
as its name implies; have been found mainly in cavern-deposits.
Enormous numbers of this large and ferocious species must have
lived in Europe in Post-Glacial times; and that they survived
into the human period, is clearly shown by the common association
of their bones with the implements of man. They are occasionally
accompanied by the remains of a Glutton (the _Gulo speloeus_),
which does not appear to be really separable from the existing
Wolverine or Glutton of northern regions (the _Gulo luscus_).
In addition, we meet with the bones of the Wolf, Fox, Weasel,
Otter, Badger, Wild Cat, Panther, Hyaena, and Lion, &c., together
with the extinct _Machairodus_ or "Sabre-toothed Tiger." The
only two of these that deserve further mention are the Hyaena
and the Lion. The Cave-hyaena (_Hyoena speloea_, fig. 269) is
regarded by high authorities as nothing more than a variety of
the living Spotted Hyaena (_H. Crocuta_) of South Africa. This
well-known species inhabited Britain and a considerable portion
of Europe during a large part of the Post-Pliocene period; and
its remains often occur in great abundance.
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