l.V_> A WALRUS-HUNT 



was, some few years ago, exhibited in London, and even- 

 tually, I believe, found its way to the Zoological Gardens. 

 Bser mentions having seen one in St. Petersburg that 

 was fed on oat-grit porridge, in which were inserted slices 

 of yellow turnips and other vegetables; and Edward 

 Worst, that "he saw one in England \\hirh was throe 

 months old, that had been brought from >"ova Xeinbla. 

 Every day it was put into water for a short time, hut it 

 always seemed happy to return to dry ground. It was 

 about the size of a calf, and could open and shut its 

 nostrils at pleasure. It grunted like a wild boar, and 

 sometimes cried with a strong, deep voioe. It was fed 

 with wild oats or millet, which it rather sucked in than 

 masticated. It was not without dillieulty that it ap- 

 proached its master, but it attempted to follow him, 

 especially when it had the prospect of receiving nourish- 

 ment at his hands." 



The chase of the walrus, which is of great antiquity, 

 is conducted both by sea and land, the weapons usod con- 

 sisting, for the most part, of the harpoon and the laneo. 

 Guns, unless loaded with small shot to blind the animal, are 

 not found very destructive, as, owing to the thickness and 

 toughness of the hide, and the mass of blubber, o\en a 

 rifle-ball takes but little effect. 



On land the destruction of the walrus must, at times. 

 be great. " After the herd has made some little advance 

 from the sea," says Lord Shuldham, \\ lion speaking of 

 the Magdalen Islands, "tin 1 hunters, armed with a sharp 

 spear, under cover of the night, and \\ith the assistance 

 of good dogs trained for the purpose, endeavour to disperse 

 them. This attack in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is called 

 a 'out,' and is in general looked upon as a most dan- 

 LTcrons adventure, it boini; impossible to drive them as 

 von will, and dillicult to avoid them; but as, during the 

 darkness, they do not know their way to the tea, man\ 



