64 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. III. 



and shadows, the appearance of " architectural 

 edifices, grottos, and caves, here and there glit- 

 tering as if with precious metals;" so that, he 

 says, " it was usual to deviate from nautical 

 phraseology and shape a course for a church, a 

 tower, or bridge, or some similar structure in the 



lumps of ice." 



So early as the 24th of May the expedition 

 had reached Cherie Island, in latitude 74° 33', so 

 called by Stephen Bennet in 1603, on or near 

 which the walruses were so numerous, that not 

 fewer than nine hundred or a thousand of those 

 large animals were captured, in the short space of 

 seven hours, by the crew of a single vessel. Of 

 the habits and character of the walrus, Lieutenant 

 Beechey gives, after frequent intercourse with them, 

 a very interesting account. Their affection for 

 their voung, and their unflinching courage in de- 

 fending them, are remarkable ; not more so their 

 compassionate conduct towards a wounded compa- 

 nion, whom they will never leave till carried off to 

 a place of safety ; and even the young ones on such 

 occasions will turn fiercely against the boats of the 

 pursuers. Although one of these animals was 

 brought alive to England in 1608, as we learn 

 from Purchas, yet it was but the other day that the 

 British Museum could boast even of a stuffed spe- 

 cimen. Why should not the Zoological Society 

 offer a price for a living one to keep the white bear 



