This is not the common brown bear of Europe, nor the white polar bear of
the Arctic regions; but the yellowish-brown Syrian bear, which may still
be found in its native haunts around the wooded fastnesses of Hermon and
Lebanon. It is shorter in limb and has smaller claws than its European
cousin; but its most striking peculiarity is its change of colour. Like
many other animals, the Syrian bear changes its colour as it grows
older. "When a cub it is of a darkish brown, which becomes a light brown
as it approaches maturity. But when it has attained its full growth it
becomes cream-coloured, and each succeeding year seems to lighten its
coat, so that a very old bear is nearly as white as its relative of the
Arctic regions" (J. G. Wood). Alas! the change which is produced by age
is not confined to _Ursus Syriacus_. The boy, no less than the bear,
will yet experience that solemn transformation. The blackest locks will
yet whiten with the frosts of age, for lustre, youth, and virility will
all alike perish. But this change is only the outward symbol of what
ought to be an inward, spiritual fact. If the locks whiten, so ought
the conscience, the soul, the heart. As youth passes into manhood and
manhood into age, the man within should "aye be gettin' whiter"; until
when the locks have grown grey in the service of righteousness, the
children may "rise up before the _hoary_ head, and honour the face of
the old man" (Lev. xix. 32).
"Yes, childhood, mark the hoary head and rise--
Stand on thy feet and give the honour due;
That crown of glory points you to the skies,
Like snow-capped mountains in the azure blue."