112 * WALRUS, OR SEA-HORSE. 



forcing the foremost for the sake of quiet to remove 

 farther up."* Usually harmonious among them- 

 selves, they have no disposition to molest others. 

 Retirement is the object of their choice, and, far from 

 being the enemy, naturally they are not even afraid 

 of man. " The Walrus," says Scoresby, " is a fear- 

 less animal. It pays no regard to a boat except as 

 an object of curiosity. Being sometimes taken by 

 the harpoon when in water, if the attack fail, it 

 often affords an opportunity of repeating it." This 

 is mentioned as a proof of its stupidity : but if slow 

 to learn, its dear bought experience at icngth con- 

 vinces it of man's unrelenting persecution, and then 

 it watches against every sudden surprise with un- 

 remitting perseverance and the most cunning strata- 

 gem, so that, with all his art, man often cannot reach 

 it ; and if in favouring circumstances he does, then all 

 the latent energies of its character appear. Though 

 never the aggressor, it can ably act in defence ; and 

 behaves with cool courage and great bravery. It 

 can do much for its individual defence, and is willing 

 to lend an efficient help to its associates, and thus 

 combining, they become most formidable, and even 

 dangerous foes. Here, too, it is that their paren- 

 tal and filial feelings are called forth ; the mother, 

 with the most admirable self-devotion, sacrificing 

 itself for her young, and the young exhibiting an 

 affection for its parent, which no animal, nor man 

 himself, could exceed. A few details will serve to 



Pennant's Quad. ii. 267. 



