THE WALRUS, OR MORSE. 411 



furnished by these extraordinary weapons is of very fine quality, and commands a high price 

 in the market. 



By means of the great development of these teeth, which are necessarily buried deeply m 

 the upper jaw, the muzzle is much enlarged in order to afford room for their sockets, and 

 assumes the remarkable prominence that gives to the animal so ferocious an aspect. As there 

 would be insufficient space for the nostrils if placed in their usual position, they are removed 

 to a much higher locality than that which they occupy in other Seals, and open nearly vertically 

 above the muzzle. 



The other teeth of the Walrus are very small in comparison with the two canines of the 

 upper jaw, and in number are exceedingly variable, according to the age of the animal. 

 During the earlier years of its life, it is furnished with six incisors in each jaw, two canines, 

 ten molars in the upper jaw and eight in the lower. But when the animal approaches maturity, 

 the incisors all fall out, and even in a prepared skull, they come away together with the soft 

 substances. The tooth which is sometimes considered to be the first molar of the lower jaw, is 

 in reality the lower canine. 



In order to accommodate itself to the position of the huge tusks, the lower jaw narrows 

 rapidly towards its point, so as to pass easily between the canines. The food of the Walrus 

 consists of small Seals, fish, shrimps, and various other 

 animal substances, diversified with such vegetable diet 

 as the sea can afford. It has been suggested that one 

 object of the large tusks may be to drag the algae from 

 their hold upon the rocks. 



A Walrus is a valuable animal, for even in this 

 country its skin, teeth, and oil are in much request, 

 while among the Esquimaux its body furnishes them 

 with almost every article in common use. Among civil- 

 ized men, the skin of the Walrus is employed for har- 

 ness and other similar purposes where a thick and tough 

 hide is required. The tooth furnishes very good ivory, 

 of a beautiful texture, and possessing the advantage of 

 retaining the white hue longer than ivory which is made 

 from the elephant tusk. The oil is delicate, but there 

 is very little to be obtained from each Walrus, the layer 

 of fatty matter being scarcely more than a hand's- 

 breadth in thickness. Among the Esquimaux the 

 Walrus is put to a variety of uses. Fish-hooks are 



made from its tusks, its intestines are twisted into nets, its oil and flesh are eaten, and its bones 

 and skin are also turned to account by these rude but ingenious workmen. 



In former days, the chase of the Walrus was an easy matter, for the powerful brutes 

 seemed to be so satisfied of their strength that they would permit their assailants to approach 

 them closely, and to inflict fatal wounds without any opposition. Now, however, they have 

 learned caution by many a bitter experience, and are extremely wary animals. They are 

 tenacious of life, and dangerous antagonists, for although they seldom, if ever, commence an 

 attack, they are most furious when opposed or wounded, and fight with marvellous energy. 

 In the conflict the enormous tusks prove themselves to be truly formidable weapons, and have 

 been known to pierce through the plankings of a boat. Even the polar bear stands in awe of 

 these weapons, and has often been beaten off by an old Walrus on whom it had hoped to make 

 a meal. 



The Walrus is found in vast herds, which frequent the coasts of the arctic and antarctic 

 regions, and which congregate in such numbers that their united roarings have often given 

 timely warning to fog-bewildered sailors, and acquainted them with the near proximity of 

 shore. These herds present a curious sight, as the huge clumsy animals are ever in move- 

 ment, rolling and tumbling over each other in a strange fashion, and constantly uttering their 

 hoarse bellowings. 



