(')8S MARINE ANIMALS (»K NORTHWEST COAST. 



least, the iiiaiH walrus population has always lived on the edges of 

 the floe ice, which advances in winter to the latitude of the Pribilof 

 Islands and retreats with the uieltino- pack ice in summer to the Polar 

 Sea. Yet certain small colonies have in historic times alwa3's existed 

 in certain localities winter and sunnner, perhaps attracted by an excep- 

 tional abundance of their favorite food. A small bunch of walrus for 

 many j^ears occupied Walrus Island, of the Pri])ilof group, Imt this 

 was an assembly of a peculiar character. It was entirel}^ composed 

 of old males driven awa\^ from the herds by the competitive valor of 

 their younoer and more active congeners, and forming a sort of old 

 gentleman's clul), existing in torpid dignity away from an atmosphere 

 of irritating disrespect. We are informed that this retreat is now 

 untenanted and the assembl}^ scattered or destroyed. 



The walrus feeds on clams, sea snails, and other moUusks of the kind 

 which frequent sand banks in shallow water. These are rooted out of 

 the sand by the aid of the powerful tusks and swallowed whole, with 

 a stone or two to aid digestion. The sliells pass through the body in 

 the natural Avay and are discharged on the rookeries, largel}^ in an 

 un})roken state. It is therefore necessary that the herd shoald have a 

 large area to dig over, as such enormous animals nuist require a large 

 supply of food. They appear to increase slowly, and being, w^hen 

 well fed, of a rather sluggish disposition, fall an easy prey to the hun- 

 ter intent on ivory or oil. 1 understand that the Secretar}" of the 

 Treasury has forbidden the wanton shooting of these animals b}' trav- 

 elers bound to Nome, Avho, while waiting on board ship for the ice to 

 open, formerly amused themselves in this way. The number of the 

 animals has ver}' greatly diminished owing to destruction l)y whalers 

 unable to get any whales, who a few years ago attempted to make up 

 for other deticiencies by tilling up with walrus oil and ivory. This 

 has not been done of late j^ears owing to the great distress the absence 

 of walrus brought upon the natives of the Arctic coast, who were ver}^ 

 dependent upon them for food and coverings for their boats. The 

 diminished numbers of the animals, of whom 11,000 were killed in a 

 single season at the height of the fishery, have also tended to make 

 their pursuit unprofitable. 



It IS evident that the walrus i-an not be preserved in conlinemont, 

 nor could a herd flourish in a restricted area. Their preserv^ation, in 

 the case of the small herds referred to as stationary, is a \'ery simple 

 matter. If they are let alone, they will take care of themselves, as 

 hitherto. If protected from the poacher, they need no other care. 

 The wa}^ to keep them in existence is not to kill them. Thej^ will do 

 the rest. 



