in zoology, a genus of quadrupeds belonging to the order of feræ. There are six teeth each in the upper jaw alternately hollow on the inside, and six in the under jaw, the two lateral ones being labated; the dog-teeth are solitary and conical; the grinders are five or six; the tongue is smooth; the eyes are furnished with a nictitating membrane; the nose is prominent; and there is a crooked bone in the penis. There are four species, viz., 1. The arctos, or white bear, with an abrupt tail. He is a native of the northern parts of Europe, and feeds upon berries, insects, and the bodies of dead cattle. He is naturally a lazy animal; but when enraged, he becomes agile and furious, standing erect and fighting with his forefeet. When lying, he constantly licks his paws. The female admits the male about the end of October, and she brings forth in 112 days. He never attacks a man, unless he be provoked. 2. The meles, has the tail of an uniform colour; the body is ash-coloured above and black below, with a longitudinal black belt across the eyes and ears. He is likewise a native of Europe, and dwells in woods and the cliffs of rocks. He feeds upon eggs, insects, the leaves of the lathynus, &c. In the night he preys upon rabbits, &c., and seldom appears in the day. He shuts himself up in a den dug in the earth during the winter, and sucks a pellicle or bladder situated above the anus. 3. The lator, has an annular tail, and a black belt across the eyes. He is found about the sea-shores of America. He feeds upon eggs, fowls, snails, &c. 4. The luscus, has a long tail; and the body is iron coloured. He is a native of Hudson's bay.