ALASKA. 219 



upon roots, *>Tassi's, tS:r., o.n<;s, birds, and an occasional walrus 

 or liair-seal. On liall's Island a small walrus was discovered 

 where the bears had eaten out the entire animal, leaving the 

 skin intJK't, touj^h and thick, untouched from the head down to 

 the posteriors, where it was broken in to ^et at thellesh; it 

 lay just like a bag, bones and all taken out, even to the head, 

 and polished. 



Xo less than sixteen of these big beasts were seen at once 

 (ten upon the beach together) as the ship's boat approached 

 the water-fall on Hall's Island. Of course, it is impossible to 

 say how many '^ medvaidie'' there are on Saint Matthew's, 

 but it is safe to assert that there cannot be less than a hundred 

 and fifty to two hundred; but they must go off on the ice during 

 winter and early spring. 



I do not think a full-grown polar bear, powerful as it is, can 

 successfully capture a mature walrus; the thick skull and hide, 

 immensely tough, of the latter wonld resist any sudden attack 

 from the former, and, the alarm once given to the walrus, the 

 bear could not prevent the clumsy but strong animal from 

 floundering into the water and safety. The bears, however, 

 can and do swim in between a young walrus and the water and 

 secure it. 



We shot some fifteen or twenty bears, all that we could use 

 or care for, relishing the meat very much, it being fully as good 

 and tender as the generality of beef. The bears were easily 

 killed, never showing fight in any instance. They were in most 

 excellent condition, fat and sleek. If caught napping or asleyep, 

 they were easily approached, as the hunter could get within a 

 few yards before alarming them ; but if they got wind of us, 

 they would turn and shamble oft" with considerable speed, 

 taking to the hills at once. 



AVhen surprised, the bear would arise and face us for a few 

 moment.^, and sniff' and snort, making no other sound ; but in 

 its death-agonies after shooting it was silent. 



I searched everywhere for its bones, skulls, &c., which should 

 be found, it seemed to me, bleaching on the hill-sides and in 

 the valleys, but, with the exception of one very old, battered 

 head, and a small one, nothing was seen on the island of this 

 character. At this season (August D) the she-bears and their 

 cubs were by themselves, (they usually have two cubs,) and the 

 young he-bears going about in squads of twos, threes, and 

 fours, the old males sleeping and feeding apart. 



