THE WALRUS. 187 



most diabolic look as it raises its head above the waves. 

 Previous to the development of the tusks in the young wal- 

 rus, the front face, when seen at a little distance, bears a 

 striking resemblance to the human countenance ; and this 

 appearance seems to have given rise to the fanciful reports 

 •of mermen, or mermaids, in the Northern seas. Captain 

 Scoresby mentions that he has seen a sea-horse in such a 

 position and under such circumstances that it was easy to mis- 

 take it for a human being. The surgeon of his ship actually 

 reported to him that he had seen a man^s head just appearing 

 above the water! 



The most remarkable feature of the walrus consists in the 

 two teeth or tusks, which are directed downwards from the 

 upper jaw, and are sometimes nearly two feet in length, di- 

 verging at their points, and weighing from five to ten pounds. 

 They are of beautiful white bone, almost equal to ivory, and 

 are much employed in the fabrication of teeth, chessmen, 

 umbrella-handles, whistles, and other small articles. The 

 Greenlanders and other people of the North make hunting 

 weapons from them, and domestic tools. These tusks not 

 •only serve the animal in procuring its food — which is said to 

 be shell-fish and marine vegetables — but are formidable 

 weapons against its foes. They also enable the walrus to 

 raise its unwieldly bulk upon the ice, when its access to 

 •shore is prevented. 



The speed of this animal in the water is very great, and 

 a contrast to its sluggish appearance on the ice. Large num- 

 bers of them crowd together on the shore, and present a 

 curious spectacle. The moment the first lands, so as to be dry, 

 it will not stir until another comes, and urges it forward by 

 beating it with its great tusks ; this one is served in the 

 same manner by the next, and so on in succession, until 

 the whole are landed, tumbling over one another in the 

 •operation. 



In the voyages of the early navigators of the Arctic seas. 



