ITS FEARLESSNESS. 449 



landing-place, and, if the weather be fine, of remaining 

 sometimes fourteen days without food of any kind, but 

 that on the first appearance of rain it retreats to the 

 water with precipitation ; " and, as with the seals, it has 

 been observed to discharge from its stomach considerable 

 quantities of stones, at times of a large size. 



The walrus is said to be monogamous, and its pairing 

 season the months of May and June, at which time these 

 animals collect in large herds, and take long wander- 

 ings to the more southern parts of their zone. The female 

 produces in early spring, either on the shore or the ice, 

 and commonly a single cub, never more than two. She is 

 most tender of her offspring, and guards them with the 

 greatest possible care. " Mothers with cubs," says M. 

 Keilhau, when describing a walrus-hunt, " often swam 

 past us. With the fore part of the body the parent 

 was accustomed to press the cub under her, and at the 

 same time to give it, as a sort of warning, one or more 

 gentle thrusts with her tusks." And the regard the 

 parent evinces towards her progeny is, by all accounts, 

 fully reciprocated on its part. 



The walrus is very fearless, and pays no attention 

 to a boat, except as an object of curiosity ; and even after 

 having been ineffectually struck with the harpoon whilst 

 in the water, will often afford the man an opportunity of 

 repeating the attempt. If left unmolested, it is a peaceful 

 and harmless creature, living in amity with its fellows, 

 and interfering but little with its congeners ; neverthe- 

 less, it is no coward, and when attacked can behave with 

 cool courage and bravery. " If a blow be struck with a 

 spear," says Zorgdrager, " it must instantly be withdrawn 

 to prevent the animal from securing it, and with it wound- 

 ing the assailant, as sometimes happens. When severely 

 wounded itself, it becomes very furious, striking from 

 one side to another with its teeth, and breaking the 



2 G 



