504 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC HEGIONS. 



^^'^hen seen at a distance, the front part of the 

 head of the young wah-us, without tusks, is not 

 unlike the human face. As this animal is in the 

 habit of rearing its' head above water, to look at 

 ships, and other passing objects, it is not at all im- 

 probable but that it may have afforded foundation 

 for some of the stories of Mermaids. 1 have my- 

 self seen a sea-horse in such a position, and under 

 such circumstances, that it required little stretch of 

 imagination to mistake it for a human being ; so like 

 indeed was it, that the surgeon of the ship actually 

 reported to me his having seen a man with his head 

 just appearing above the surface of the water. Seals 

 exhibit ihemsehcs in a similar way ; the heads of 

 some, at a distance, are not unlike the human head ; 

 the resemblance, however, is not so striking as that 

 presented by the walrus. 



The walrus is a fearless animal. It pays no re- 

 gard to a boat, excepting as an object of curiosity. 

 It is sometimes taken by a harpoon, when in the 

 water. If one attack fails, it often affords an op- 

 portunity for repeating it. The capture of a wal- 

 rus in the water, cannot always be accomplished 

 without danger ; for, as they go in herds, an attack 

 made upon one individual, dravv's all its companions 

 to its defence. In such cases, they frequently rally 

 round the boat from whence tlie blov; was struck ; 

 |)ierce its planks with their tusks ; and, though re- 

 .sisted in the most determined manner, sometimes 



