| Return to the Exhibit | Previous | Next (5 of 17) |
|
Exhibit item: The capture and display of California Grizzlies for residents of the eastern United States was a difficult task. Although young cubs proved far easier to trap and transport than grown bears, this 1855 account of a sailing excursion from California to New York describes the difficulties passengers and crew faced in dealing with energetic bears aboard ship and in port. Quotation: "There was a man on board who had brought with him from the mines two young grizzly bear cubs, who were just getting large enough to be dangerous, and that evening, as Mr. Bobbins was dreamily enjoying a cigar on deck, he was aroused from the contemplation of his patent leather boots by moonlight with, 'Sir, allow me to introduce to you two returned Californians.' Ursa major, thereupon, being held up, scratched Bobbin's face, while ursa minor attacked the patent leathers, which he forcibly removed, together with a toe-nail or so, with his teeth." |