Ursa Major arctos") was lowered to earth in a golden basket off the Ursa Major, and when a bear was killed, its head was positioned on a tree to allow the bear's spirit to return to Ursa Major. The Iroquois Native Americans interpreted Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid as three hunters pursuing the Great Bear. According to one version of their myth, the first hunter (Alioth) is carrying a bow and arrow to strike down the bear. The second hunter (Mizar) carries a large pot – the star Alcor – on his shoulder in which to cook the bear while the third hunter
Ursa, Illinois Ursa, Illinois Ursa is a village in Adams County, Illinois, United States. The population was 626 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area. Ursa is located at (40.074653, -91.370776). According to the 2010 census, Ursa has a total area of , all land. The first settlers came to Ursa in 1823. As of the census of 2000, there were 595 people, 252 households, and 167 families residing in the village. The population density was 872.9 people per square mile (337.8/km²). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 382.9 per square