1-22 THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. [chap. 



A young walrus that was taken to St. Petersburg in 1829-80, 

 also died in a short time. It gave occasion to K. E. von Baer's 

 famous treatise: "Anatomische und zoologische Uutersuch- 

 ungen iiber das Wallross," printed in M6moires de rAcacUmie 

 Impiriale des Sciences de St. Petcrsbourg, ser. vi,, t. iv. 2, 1838, 

 p. 97. 



The walrus is hunted for its skin, blubber, and oil. The 

 value of a full-grown walrus was calculated at Tromsoe, in 

 1868, in settling accounts between the owners of hunting 

 sloops and the hunters, at eighty Scandinavian crowns (say 



WALRUS HUNTING. 



After Olaus Magnus (1555). 



4/. 10^.), but it sank in 1871 to only forty-eight crowns (say 

 '11. 15s.). The flesh of the walrus is coarse and train-flavoured, 

 and is eaten by the hunters only in cases of necessity. From 

 my own experience, however, I can certify that its compara- 

 tively small tongue is very delicious. By the Eskimo and the 

 Chukchis the flesh of the walrus is considered a delicacy. 



The walrus was doubtless hunted by the Polar tribes long 

 before the historic period,^ but it is mentioned for the first time 

 in writing in the sketch of Othere's Arctic journey. The 

 narrative shows that it was then captured on the north coast of 

 Scandinavia. This appears the less improbable, as a walrus now 

 and then even in our days drifts to land on the Norwegian coast, 

 and walruses are still annually killed off Swjatoinos on the 

 Kola peninsula.'-^ The walrus is very correctly described in the 

 well-known Norse confession written in the end of the eleventh 



1 Implements of walras-bone occur among the Northern grave finds. 

 - Compare note ^ at page 41 above. 



