See **Mammalia**, Index.

**Bear**, in **Astronomy**. See **Astronomy**.

Order of the **Bear** was a military order in Switzerland, instituted by the emperor Frederick II. in 1213, by way of acknowledgement for the service the Swiss had done him, and in favour of the abbey of St Gal. To the collar of the order hung a medal, on which was represented a bear raised on an eminence of earth.

**Bear's Skin** makes a fur in great esteem, and forms a considerable article of commerce, being used on housings, on coach-boxes, &c. In some countries, clothes are made of it, more especially bags, wherein to keep the feet warm in severe colds. Of the skins of bears' cubs are made gloves, muffs, and the like.

**Bear Island**, an island on the south-west coast of Ireland, in Bantry Bay, about six miles in length and one and a half broad. It is of a hilly and rugged aspect. Batteries have been erected here for the defence of the bay. It is twelve miles from Bantry. Long. 9. 45. W. Lat. 51. 35. N.