HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 507 



broad, and covered over with thick pellucid 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. 



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 instantly throw themselves in- 

 to the water with great precipitation. If wounded, 

 they become bold and furious, and unite in the de- 

 fence of each other : they will attack a boat, and 

 endeavour to sink it by striking their great teeth 

 into its sides, at the same time bellowing in the 

 most hideous manner. 



It is hunted for its teeth, which are equaL to 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. 



The female produces one or two young at a time, 

 which she suckles upon land. 



In climbing upon the ice, the Walrus makes use 

 of its teeth as hooks to secure its hold, and draw 

 its great unwieldy 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 des- 

 perate wounds it inflicts with its teeth. 



