192 BATTLES OF THE WALRUS AND POLAR BEAR. 



timmals there are often terrible battles. On these occasions 

 the tusks of the walrus stand in good service, for they man- 

 age, usually, to beat off the grizly enemy, though at the cost 

 of many severe wounds. 



An amusing instance is given of the cunning displayed 

 by Bruin in his chase after the walrus : 



" One sunshiny day, one of these animals, about ten feet 

 in length, rose in a pool of water not very far from us, and 

 after looking round, drew his greasy carcass upon the ice, 

 where he rolled about for a time, and at length laid himself 

 down to sleep. A bear which had probably been observing 

 his movements crawled carefully upon the ice on the opposite 

 side of the pool, and began to roll about also, but apparently 

 more from design than amusement, as he progressively 

 lessened the distance that intervened between him and 

 his prey. The walrus, suspicious of his advances, drew him. 

 self up preparatory to a precipitous retreat into the water, 

 in case of a nearer acquaintance with his playful but treach- 

 erous visitor. On this the bear became instantly motionless, 

 as if in the act of sleep, but after a time began to lick his 

 paws and clean himself, encroaching occasionally a little 

 more upon his intended prey. But even this artifice did not 

 succeed : the wary walrus was far too cunning to allow him- 

 self to be entrapped, and suddenly plunged into the pool, 

 which the bear no sooner observed than he threw off all 

 disguise, rushed toward the spot, and followed him in an in- 

 stant into the water, where he was as much disappointed in 

 his meal as we were of the pleasure of witnessing a very 

 interesting encounter." 



At sea, the sword-fish is the most nimble and fiercest ene- 

 my of the walrus. We should scarcely imagine from the 

 uncouth and heavy appearance of the animal that it would 

 exhibit any striking traits of intelligence ; but it seems that 

 when young it is not difficult to domesticate. Lamont men- 

 tions having seen one about the size of a sheep on board a 



