THE WALRUS. 
177 
side. There is considerable diversity in their length, shape, and size, even in the 
full-grown tusks, some being very short and stout, while others are elongated and 
slender. The Walrus has no sharp incisors like the seal. The nostrils are placed on 
the superior portion of the snout, through which the animal appears to inspire, and 
expires through its mouth, as it dips its head below the surface, blowing up the 
water into spray, in such a manner as to resemble the spout of a whale. Never 
having had an opportunity of taking detailed measurements of the Walrus, we quote 
from the most reliable authorities: "Its fore feet, or flippers, are from two to 
two and a half feet in length, and about twelve inches in breadth ; they are webbed, 
and the under sides are protected by a tough skin, a quarter of an inch or 
more in thickness. The posterior flippers are from two to three feet long, and are 
Walruses. 
capable of expansion at their extremity nearly equal to their length ; each toe is 
furnished with a small nail." The skin of the animal is thick and somewhat spongy, 
but exceedingly tough. The hair that covers it in most adult individuals is short 
and of a dark brown ; yet there is no lack of examples where it is of a much 
lighter shade, or a light but dingy gray. Unlike others of the seal tribe, the 
animal is abundantly infested with vermin. Under the skin lies the coating of fat 
which yields oil — it is from two to three inches in thickness. The appearance of 
the fully developed Walrus in the water, with its long tusks, which seem like an 
incumbrance, has a striking contrast with that of the common seal. The young, 
however, before its cumbrous canines protrude, resembles the latter in general form, 
but is of a black color. On land the Walrus is comparatively inactive and clumsy 
Marine Mammals. — 23. 
