THE WALRUS. 



THE WALRUS, OR SEA HORSE. 



The Walrus is found chiefly in the northern seas. Great 

 herds of them are sometimes seen together on the sea shore, 

 or sleeping on an island of ice. When alarmed, they in- 

 stantly throw themselves into the water with great 

 precipitation. If wounded, they become bold and furious, 

 and unite in the defence of each other : they will attack a 

 boat, and .endeavour to sink it by striking their teeth into 

 his sides, at the same time bellowing in the most hideous 

 manner. 



The head of the Walrus is round ; its lips very broad, 

 and covered with thick transparent bristles -, its eyes small 

 and red ; instead of ears, it has two small orifices ; and 

 above the whiskers, semicircular nostrils, through which it 

 throws out water like the whale, but with much less noise ; 

 its skin is thick and wrinkled, and has a thin covering of 

 short brownish hair : its legs are short : it has five toes 

 on each foot, connected by membranes ; and on each toe 

 a small nail : the hind feet are very broad, and extended 

 nearly on a line with the body. 



It is hunted for its teeth, which are equal (o those of 

 the Elephant for durability and whiteness. 



An ordinary Walrus is said to yield half a ton of oil, 

 equal in goodness to that of the whale. 



In climbing upon the ice, the Walrus makes use of its 

 teeth as hooks to secure its hold, and draw its great un- 

 wieldy body after it. It feeds on sea-weeds and shell- 

 fish, which it is said to disengage from the rocks to which 

 they adhere, with its tusks. 



The White Bear is its greatest enemy. In the combats 

 between these animals, the Walrus is said to be generally 

 victorious, on account of the desperate wounds it inflicts 

 with its teeth. 



