6C8 THE SEAL AND THE WALRUS. 



The latter replied with a discharge of musketry. The poor bear fell 

 smitten between her two little ones, and died licking their wounds. 



Among other Mammiferous animals belonging to the Polar regions, 

 my space only permits me a brief allusion to the Seal and the Walrus. 

 The Seal (Phoca vitulina) seems to the eye a compound of the fish 

 and the quadruped ; having the tail of the former, the head, spine, 

 and body of the latter. Its physiognomy is remarkable for its 

 peculiarly mild and intelligent expression. Its elongated, conical 

 body tapers from the shoulders to the tail. Its feet are of singular 

 construction. They are covered with a membrane, and so united to 

 the body that they might be mistaken for fins, but for the sharp 

 strong claws that terminate them. 



Seals swim with great rapidity, and can remain under water for 

 a considerable period. The species are very numerous. The Green- 

 land or Harp Seal (Phoca Greenlandica) measures about six feet in 

 length. The Bearded Seal (P. barbata) is from seven to ten feet 

 long. The largest known, species is the Elephant Seal or Sea- 

 Elephant (Macrorhinus proboscideus), whose girth at the largest part 

 of the body is from fifteen to eighteen feet, and its length from 

 twenty-five to thirty feet. It is a native of the Antarctic Seas. 

 The Sea-Lion (Platyrhynchus leoninus), so called from its long full 

 mane, inhabits both the northern and southern coasts of the Pacific. 

 The Sea-Bear (Arctocephalus ursinus) derives its name from the fur 

 and shape of the head. 



The Walrus or Morse (Trichecus) is a genus of the Phociclse, or 

 Seal family, distinguished by its widely different cranium and teeth. 

 In the adult lower jaw are neither incisors nor canines, while the 

 upper bristles with two enormous tusks, which are directed down- 

 wards, and are sometimes two feet long. It chiefly feeds upon 

 molluscs and marine vegetables, and its flesh in its turn affords a 

 dainty repast to the inhabitants of the Polar Deserts. 



