404 M'CLURE'S EXPLORATIONS. 



resemblance to the human ; and its appearance is sus- 

 pected to have sometimes given rise to the fanciful 

 reports of mermaids in the northern seas. The walrus 

 is monogamous, and the mother brings forth her young 

 only one at a birth, either on the shore or on the ice. 

 Like all the cetaceous tribes, to which the walrus is 

 allied, he is disposed to be peaceful and harmless. 

 Parry describes the supine security with which a num- 

 ber of them lay on the ice, piled over each other, with- 

 out discomposing themselves at the approach of a party 

 armed for their destruction. In Spitzbergen, however, 

 where they have been long the object of chase to the 

 Russian hunters, they are reported to keep very strict 

 watch ; it being said that one stands guard while 

 the others sleep. Even when sensible of danger, they 

 are not forward to face it, but rather shun the attack by 

 rushing beneath the ice, while those behind, with their 

 tusks, urge forward their companions. Yet, when they 

 are compelled to combat, they give battle with the 

 utmost coolness and courage ; they then stand firm by 

 each other, rush in one united body against the boats 

 (as in the attack on the Trent's boat, page 71), and, strik- 

 ing with their tusks, endeavor to overset them. When 

 repulsed, too, they repeatedly rally, and in the end 

 yield only to the fire-arms of Europeans, or to the strat- 

 agems of the Esquimaux. Maternal tenderness, and 

 the determination with which the female defends her 

 young, are equally conspicuous in them as in the whale 

 species. The walrus must live near open water. 



" The wind," writes McClure, " almost immediately 

 failing, the boats were all manned, and towing com- 

 menced amid songs and cheers, which continued, with 

 unabated good-humor, for six hours. Being in perfectly 

 clear water in Smith's Bay, a light air springing up, we 

 worked to the eastward. At two A. M. of the 8th, being 



