WALRUS. 



127 



and the largest of 11 feet, from the tip of the snout to the root of the tail. Other 



individuals have, however, been recorded, measuring somewhat more than 12 feet 



in total length; but the statements of 15 or even 16-feet walruses must be 



received with hesitation. There is still much uncertainty as to the weight which 



these animals will attain. Parry gives the weight of an immature female as 



1550 lbs.; while other trustworthy writers set down the weight of full-grown 



males at from 2250 to 3000 lbs. Larger weights have, indeed, been suggested, 



but it is probable that in those cases the estimates were far too high. In regard 



to the size of the tusks of the Atlantic walrus, a fine pair mentioned by Mr. 



Allen had a total length of 24 inches, of which probably about 18 inches would 



have protruded from the jaw during life ; the weight of each of these being 4 lbs. 



Others have, however, been obtained with a total length of 31 inches, and a weight 



of upwards of 8 lbs. apiece ; but such are, now at least, extremely rare. The tusks 



of females seldom exceed 20 inches in length. In the Pacific walrus the tusks 



are said to be longer and thicker, and more convergent ; but we have not met 



with any account of their maximum dimensions. 



In addition to this difference in the form of the tusks, the Pacific walrus has 



the muzzle proportionately broader and deeper, while the bristles on the upper lip 



are shorter and smaller. Important differences also occur in the form of the skull 



of the two varieties. 



The geographical range of the walrus has been considerably 

 Distribution. .... . . 



restricted in modern times owing to the incessant persecution of the 



animal in all accessible regions, and it is now exterminated in many places where 



it was formerly abundant. Its numbers have, indeed, been sadly diminished 



everywhere, and unless it receive prompt and efficient protection it is one of those 



creatures which stand a good chance of becoming extinct ; this being more 



especially the case with the Pacific variety. The Atlantic walrus was known in 



Europe during the latter part of the ninth century, and appears to have been 



hunted on the coast of Finmark about a century later, while by the year 1000 



walrus-hunting was a regular trade. Occasionally these animals wandered as far 



southwards as the coasts of Scotland ; and they were abundant on many of the 



islands near the northern coast of continental Europe, and even on the shores of 



the continent itself ; while eastward their range extended into Asia as far as the 



River Lena, Northwards the walrus appears to extend as far as vessels have 



penetrated. In 1600 it was very abundant on Cheric, or Bear Island, lying 



about two hundred and eighty miles to the northward of the North Cape, in 



Norway ; no less than six or seven hundred having been killed on one occasion in 



six hours, while on another from nine hundred to a thousand were slaughtered in 



less than seven hours. The animals were accustomed to collect in large parties on 



the shore ; and the plan adopted was first to shoot those nearest the sea, whose 



bodies then formed a barrier, cutting off the retreat of the rest. In less than eight 



years the walruses on Bear Island had become scarce and shy, and it was not long 



before they were completely exterminated. The retreating walruses were then 



followed to Spitsbergen and Greenland, and even there their numbers have so 



diminished that walrus hunting cannot be profitably conducted unless carried on in 



conjunction with whaling. Baron Nordenskiiild states that at the present day 



