204 Our North Land. 



The walrus is an exceedingly valuable animal, both as an article 

 of commerce and to the Eskimo of the north. The blubber, ivory 

 and skin are always in demand. The tusk furnishes ivory of a 

 peculiarly white hue, said to hold its colour longer than that of the 

 elephant's tusk. The oil produced from the blubber is very delicate, 

 and always commands a high price. The skin is thick and extremely 

 tough, and is valuable to the Eskimo for dog-harness, and to civilized 

 man for many purposes. The Eskimos use the tusk for harpoons, 

 spears, fish-spears ; the intestines for nets ; its oil and flesh for food ; 

 and its bones for kayak frames and other purposes. 



The walrus, like the seal, climbs upon rocks and ice-pans to 

 sleep and rest in the sun, and although very clumsy, with their vast 

 bodies and insufficient limbs, can, when alarmed, scramble along with 

 almost wonderful rapidity. It uses its tusks to assist it in moving 

 forward, and gets along by jerks and leaps. 



If the walrus is cornered it will invariably attack the hunter, 

 advancing fiercely upon its enemy, striking out with its long tusks 

 and often inflicting dangerous wounds. If attacked by an Eskimo 

 in his kayak it will raise its head out of the water, and make an 

 attempt to force its tusks through the skin of which the frail craft 

 is composed ; but the wily native is generally too quick for the 

 unfortunate animal, and manages to disable him with his harpoon 

 before receiving damage or injury. 



A full grown walrus is from ten to twelve feet long. The skin 

 is brown and smooth, and is covered with short brown hairs. We 

 met with walrus on our voyages both in the Bay and Strait, and 

 counted over seventy from the deck of the Neptune, at one time, 

 sleeping or lounging on the ice. They are very numerous. 



The seal is a curiously interesting animal. It was to be seen 

 everywhere, at every turn. Like the walrus, and even the porpoise, 

 it makes sad havoc among the fish. It is rather a handsome animal, 

 with its beautifully mottled skin and large bright eyes. The colour 

 of its fur is generally a dark green, sometimes a greyish yellow, 

 sprinkled with spots of brown, or brownish black, which are larger 

 and more noticeable along the back than on the sides. The total 

 length of the seal is about five feet, the head being about eight 



