CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES OF THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR (URSUS AMERICANUS)

Abstract

Much search through the literature has failed to bring to light any adequate description of the brain of the Ursidae, or bear family. Especially meager are the figures and descriptions of the central nervous system of the American black bear (Ursus americanus). The morphologic and phylogenetic aspect of the cerebral hemispheres has been almost completely neglected. Up to this time the brain of Ursus americanus has been only briefly described or illustrated by Wilder,¹Krueg,²Elliot Smith³and Papez.⁴In a similar manner these and other investigators, namely, Leuret,⁵Gratiolet,⁶Gervais,⁷Meynert,⁸Mivart,⁹Flesch,¹⁰Turner,¹¹Fish¹²and Kappers,¹³have figured and given short descriptions of the brains of some of the other members of the Ursidae, including the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), the European brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the Malayan bear (Ursus malayanus). The brain of