THE WALRUS, OR MORSE. 513 



remarkably well furnished with the fatty substance from which the oil is obtained, and is 

 therefore eagerly pursued, irrespective of the value which is set upon the fur. 



The food of this animal is almost wholly of an animal nature, and consists chiefly of 

 salmon and other fish, together with various molluscs and crustaceans. It however stands 

 in great dread of other species of Seal, such as the Sea Lion and Sea Bear, and according 

 to many accounts holds the spermaceti whale in awe, being chased by that formidable 

 creature into the shallow waters of the shore. Twice in the year the Harp Seal indulges 

 in a migration similar to that which has already been described when treating of the Sea 

 Leopard. The young of this species are sometimes two in number, although the mater- 

 nal Seal is often forced to content herself with a single child. 



Like the Common Seal, the Atak is possessed of much intelligence, and is very ca- 

 pable of domestication. 



Two of these animals which were placed in the zoological collection at the Jardin des 

 Plantes, were at their first arrival extremely shy, and would avoid the person of man with 

 every mark of terror. Yet in a very short time they became quite tame, and would 

 voluntarily seek the caresses of those who had behaved kindly towards them. They also 

 struck up a great friendship with two little dogs, and would permit their little playfellows 



HARP SEAL, OR ATAK. Phoca Grasnlaadica. 



to take all kinds of liberties with them, permitting the dogs to sit on their backs and 

 bark, and not even resenting an occasional bite. They would even permit the dogs to take 

 their food from their mouths, but if their relation attempted to act in like manner, a sharp 

 combat immediately took place, the weaker being forced ultimately to succumb to 

 superior might. 



In cold weather, dogs and Seals were, accustomed to huddle closely together for the 

 sake of warmth, and when the dogs made their way out of the entrance, the Seals did 

 their best to follow their little playfellows, caring nothing for the rough ground over 

 which they were forced to pass. 



This Seal has been several times seen upon the coasts of England, although generally 

 in its immature state. Two young Harp Seals were taken in the mouth of the Severn, 

 and others seem to have made their appearance off the Orkney Isles. 



AMONG all the strange forms which are found among the members of the phocine 

 family, there is none which presents a more terribly grotesque appearance than that of 

 the WALRUS, MORSE, or SEA HORSE, as this extraordinary animal is indifferently termed. 



The most conspicuous part of this animal is the head, with its protuberant muzzle bris- 

 tling with long, wiry hairs, and the enormous canine teeth that project from the upper jaw. 



33 



