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NATURAL HISTORY. 



HEAD OF WALRUS. (Modified after Murie.) 



I. THE WALRUS FAMILY (TRICHECHID^E). 



This family in some points resembles the Eared Seals, or Otaries, and in others approaches 

 the Earless Seals, or Phocidse. The characters of the family are mainly, if not wholly, derived 



from the Walrus, the only living representative. 

 There are no external ears, but a fair-sized 

 opening indicates the passage. Both sexes, 

 when adult, possess two immense tusks in. the 

 upper jaw, quite a notable feature. Along with 

 this, there is full development of the bony parts 

 to accommodate them, and the huge, though 

 abruptly truncated muzzle, is garnished with 

 long and remarkably strong bristly moustaches. 

 The semilunar-shaped nostrils, situated above 

 these, are dilated or powerfully compressed at 

 will, by the thick, fleshy muscles of the upper 

 lip. The eye is smaller than in the Otariidse 

 and Phocidse. The body, especially its hinder 

 part, is also heavier. The tail seems absent,, 

 though, in reality, nearly reaching to the heels, 

 but a broad flap of skin stretches across from 

 leg to leg, and binding these, hides the tail. 

 The hind limbs appear shorter than in the two 

 neighbouring families, but the above tail-mem- 

 brane is wider, and allows greater freedom to 

 the legs and feet. The three middle toes are 

 shortest, as is the case with the Common Seals, but not the Otaries. The fore-legs are of inter- 

 mediate length, strong, stumpy, and although the thumb is biggest, there is a certain equality in 

 the length of the toes. The fore feet, as well as the hind feet, are sufficiently free to be laid flat on 

 the ground. The nails are diminutive, and not claw- 

 like, and the soles of the feet are unusually rough 

 and warty. The tongue is smooth, and not cleft at 

 the tip. The dental series is as follows : Incisors, 

 ^; canines, j-2| ; premolars, |-~|; molars, ^, = 24. 

 The tusks, or upper canines, lie outside and almost 

 in front of the dental arch. The incisor and grinding 

 teeth are uncommonly alike, being short, cylindrical, 

 and obliquely truncated at their crowns. The teeth 

 alone are very distinctive of this family, and modified 

 for uses and a diet sui generis. There is no such 

 development of a thick coating of under-fur, as in 

 certain of the Otary family, the root hairs being 

 sparse, and the larger sort softer, shaggier, and not 

 so close pressed as in the Seals. 



THE WALRUS, OK MORSE.* So far as looks 

 are concerned, scarcely a more uninviting fellow can 

 be conceived than this animal, which the Green- 

 landers and Eskimo call " Awuk," from its peculiar 

 guttural cry. It is better known amon** our own SKULL AND DENTITION OF WALRUS. (After De 



Countrymen as the Sea Horse, though naturalists A, Skull of Old Animal; B, Pa"ate and* Dentition of Young; c, Lower 



more frequently prefer Walrus, or Morse, words Jaw ana Dentition o* Young. 



respectively modified derivatives from the old Norse and Lapp languages. 



Trichechui rosmarus. 



Its present range 



