TIN: ii I/ATX. OR MORSE, 411 







furnished by the>e extraordinary weu|Nins is of v,-r\ line quality, mul commands a hik'h priee 

 in tin- uiarki-t. 



By means nf the irreat d>-\.-l<>pment of these t.-eth, which an- necess^iih buri-d deeply }n 

 tin- up|N-i jau, ill.- IIIU//1.- is iniirli enlarged in order to uffmtl room for tli.-ir sockets, and 

 assumes tin- remarkable prominence that gives to the animal so f.-r.x i,.iis an :I-|MV|. A- there 

 would !- insufficient spar.- for the nostrils if placed in tli>ir usual jtosition. they are removed 

 to a much higher locality than tliat which they occupy in other Seals, and open nearly vertically 

 alo\<- the mu/y.le. 



The otli.-i I. -<'th of the Walrus are very small in coiniuirison with the two canine* of the 

 iipl>er jaw. and in numlet :n. \i-eedinglyvariable, according to the. age of the animal. 

 Dnriiii: ih.- earli.-r \car- of its lif.-, it is furnished with sj\ in.-isors in each jaw, two can men, 

 ten niilaix in the ii|>|*-r jaw and ei^ht in the lower. But when the animal a|i|.r..:i.-h,-> inaturity. 

 the inri-<rs all fall out, and even in a i>n>|Miml skull, they come away top-ther with the ><>ft 

 HulMtancfs. Tlie t<M>th which i.s sometimes ron.siclered to be the first molar of the lower jaw, in 

 in reality ill.- lower callill.-. 



In onli-r to accoiiimiMl:it>- it^^lf to the ]x)sition of the huge tusk.s, the lower jaw narrows 

 y lowanls its jM.int, so as to pom easily letween the canines. The food of the Walrus 



f s|n:il| s.-:i N. ti-li. -hi l!!i|-. :i!i.l \ :i; j. , - , .! i|. r 



animal sulstani-es. diveoitied with such vegetable diet 



as tlh- s,-;i .-mi alTi-id. It li:i- I n -M__.-'..| thai one 



object of the large tusks may be to drag the alga; from 

 their hold UJH.H the rocks. 



A Walrus \s a valuable animal, for even in this 

 country its ..kin. teeth, and oil are in much request, 

 while among the Esquimaux its body furnishes them 

 witli almost . -\.-ry article in common use. Among civil- 

 ized men, the skin of the Walrus is employed for har- 

 ness and other similar purposes where a thick and tough 

 hide is required. The tooth furnishes very good ivory, 

 of a beautiful texture, and possessing the advantage of 

 retaining the white hue longer than ivory which is made 

 from the elephant tusk. The oil is delicate, but there 

 1^ \ .iv little to be obtained from each Walrus, the layer 

 of fatty matter being scarcely more than a hand's- 

 brcudth in thickness. Anin_' the Esquimaux tin- 

 Walrus is put to a variety of uses. Fish-hooks are 



made from its tusks, its intestines are twisted into nets, its oil and flesh are eaten, and its bones 

 and skin are als.. turned to account by these rude but ingenious workmen. 



In former days, the chase of the Walrus was an easy matter, for the powerful brut--* 

 seemed to be so satisfied of their strength that they would permit their assailants to approach 

 th.-m closely, and to inflict fatal wounds without any opposition. Now, however, they have 

 learned caution by many a bitter experience, and are extremely wary animals. They are 

 tenacious of life. ; md dangerous antagonists, for although they seldom, if ever, commence an 

 attack, they are most furious when opposed or wounded, and tight with marvellous energy. 

 In the conflict the enormous tusks prove themselves to l>e truly formidable weapons, and have 

 been known to pierce through the plankings of a boat. Even the polar bear stands in awe of 

 these weapons, and has often been beaten off by an old Walrus on whom it had hoped to make 

 a meal. 



The Walrus is found in vast herds, which frequent the coasts of the arctic and antarctic 

 regions, and which congregate in snch numl>ers that their united roarings have often given 

 timely warning to fog-bewildered sailors, and acquainted them with the near proximity of 

 shore. These herds present a curious sight, as the huge clumsy animals are ever in move- 

 ment, rolling and t umMinir <>\.-r each other in a strange fashion, and constantly uttering their 

 hoarse bellowings. 



